The Granite Falls Western Fest Stampede Rodeo is ready for the 24th annual rodeo and ramping up for the big 25th anniversary, according to rodeo committee member Holly Johnson.
"Actually even before we were a sanctioned PRCA event we were a high school rodeo 34 years ago," Johnson said. "The president of our committee John Richter started it out way back in the day."
Johnson described the rodeo as Granite Falls signature community event, brought together by the Granite Falls Fire Department, Granite Falls Ambulance, the Kiwanis, the Lions Club, and Granite Falls Baseball.
"We're really looking forward to it," Johnson said, "it looks like a beautiful weekend after the rain passes."
The rodeo starts out on Wednesday with food, dancing, and a performance by the 212 Regiment Marching Band.
Today is Kids Night when kids can get it for $1.
Fact Box
Schedule
Wednesday
11 a.m. -8 p.m. Ambulance Squad Burger & Brats
4:30 p.m. -7 p.m. Kiddy Carnival by Western Fest Royalty/Candidates
4 p.m. - 7 p.m. CURE (Free Fish Painting & Kayaking by footbridge)
6 p.m. Kiddy Parade (Main Street) To enter, call 564-4039 (Line up at 5:30 p.m. by Veteran's Park) -
6:30 p.m. 212 Regiment Marching Band
6:45 p.m. Queen Candidates & Royalty Appearance
7:15 p.m. Community Ed Dance Explosion
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. FREE Root Beer Floats (Downtown) sponsored by Rock Haven Church
7:30 p.m. Treasured Talents Dance Performance
Thursday
7:30 p.m. PRCA Rodeo, Lee Mar Ranch - Kids night
5:30 p.m. -7:15 p.m. Free pony rides by the Valley Riders Saddle Club, Rodeo Grounds
6:45 p.m. Mutton Bustin' (limited to first 25 kids who register), Rodeo Grounds
6:45 p.m. Royalty/Candidate Introductions
5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Lions Club Beer Gardens, Richter Baseball Field
Friday
PRCA Rodeo, Lee Mar Ranch - 7:30 p.m.
"Tough Enough to Wear Pink"
5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Free pony rides by the Valley Riders Saddle Club, Rodeo Grounds
6:45 p.m. Mutton Bustin', Rodeo Grounds (limited to first 25 kids who register)
5 p.m. - 1 a.m. Granite Falls Baseball Food Stand, Richter Baseball Field
6 p.m. - 1 a.m. Lions Club Beer Gardens, Richter Baseball Field
9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Street Dance, Richter Baseball Field with music by "Canyon Cowboys" $5/person, $10/couple gate fee.
Saturday
8:30 a.m. Rodeo Run and Western Fest Walk (Register 7:30am) KCC
8:30 a.m. Miss Western Fest Queen's Brunch at Minnesota West, tickets $10/person, available at the door.
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fireman's Barbecue, Fire Hall
1 p.m. Grand Parade
4 p.m. Miss Western Fest Pageant, YME School Auditorium
7:30 p.m. PRCA Rodeo, Lee Mar Ranch
6:45 p.m. Mutton Bustin', Rodeo Grounds (limited to first 25 kids who register)
9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Street Dance, Richter Baseball Field Music by "Canyon Cowboys" $5/person, $10/couple gate fee.
10:15 p.m. Introductions of 2012 Miss Western Fest & Princessess, Richter Baseball Field
10:30 p .m. Sweepstakes Drawings, Richter Baseball Field
5 p .m. - 1 a.m. Granite Falls Baseball Food Stand, Richter Baseball Field
6 p.m. - 1 a.m. Lions Club Beer Gardens, Richter Baseball Field
Friday is Tough Enough to Wear Pink day. Two dollars of every ticket goes to the American Cancer Society.
"Saturday is always a big night," Johnson said, "not only because it's the last night but because of the street dance and the sweepstakes drawing for the $10,000 prize."
And of course, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the first 25 kids to register can compete in the mutton busting event.
"I started that out seven or eight years ago," Johnson said. "It's a great family event where the kids get to ride those sheep."
Kids must be under 60 pounds to participate.
"If the kids are too big, the sheep just lies there," Johnson said.