The Granite Falls Western Fest Stampede Rodeo is ready for the 24th annual rodeo and is 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 a 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."
Today is Kids Night when kids can get it for $1.
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, today, 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.
Schedule
Today
5:30-7:15 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
5-10 p.m. Lions Club beer gardens, Richter Baseball Field
7:30 p.m. PRCA Rodeo, Lee Mar Ranch - Kids night
Friday
5:30-7:15 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
7:30 p.m. PRCA Rodeo, Lee Mar Ranch
"Tough Enough to Wear Pink"
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 7:30 a.m.) 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
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 6:45 p.m. Mutton Bustin', rodeo grounds (limited to first 25 kids who register)
7:30 p.m. PRCA Rodeo, Lee Mar Ranch
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 and princesses, Richter Baseball Field
10:30 p.m. Sweepstakes drawings, Richter Baseball Field