Photo by Jim Tate Holly Johnson, a long-time member of the Western Fest committee, is shown by a mural on the back of her office in Granite Falls, created by local artist Tamara Isfeld. Johnson the mural includes “everything I like about Granite Falls.” She is the Director of the National Independent Health Club Association.

GRANITE FALLS — “The Western Fest Stampede Rodeo is a big event that brings the community together. It’s more than just a rodeo — whether you’re a rodeo fan or not — there are so many activities and events happening throughout the weekend, there’s something for everyone.”

That’s what Holly Johnson, longtime Western Fest committee member, said about the upcoming June 19-21 Western Fest celebration, its 36th anniversary. Western Fest is affiliated with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and that speaks volumes about the prestige of the rodeo, and the competition.It draws contestants from 28 states and three Candadian provinces, an indication how much of a regional (and national) draw is has enjoyed. ”

With so many events, from bull riding to breakaway roping, the three days of rodeo bring the top competitors from all over. It’s the second-largest PRCA event in Minnesota, and has grown from a small event into a major regional draw with huge purses for the contestants,” she added.

It’s a rain-or-shine event, said Johnson.

“Last year it was rain, rain and more rain,” she said. The events will go on, regardless of the weather. It has become a circle-it-on-the-calendar event for professional rodeo contestants.

Western Fest started out small, and was coordinated by the High School Rodeo Association. It’s morphed into the event it is today, with PRCA affiliation, top competition and lucrative purses. It is coordinated now by a non-profit, and governed by a 10-member board. John Richter is the committee president.

The rodeo events will be held each day at the Lee Mar Ranch, west on Highway 212. As a sanctioned rodeo, participants can earn points to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev., which features the top 15 rodeo cowboys and cowgirls in each event, based on points earned during the season.

Cowboys will participate in “rough stock” competitions — bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc and tie-down. Barrel racing and breakaway roping are also on the schedule for women, as well as tie-down for men. Breakaway roping was introduced for women last year “and that’s big news — it’s another event for women and offers them an opportunity to earn lucrative prize money,” said Johnson.

Granite Falls is home to Tanner Aus, a professional rodeo contestant who has made it to the National Finals Rodeo eight times in Bareback.

“I used to be Tanner’s babysitter. I used to change his diapers,” she laughed, recalling the time she told that to a live news crew in Las Vegas and reminded him of that fact on live television.

Aus will be competing at Western Fest, which will award more than $100,009 in prize money this year, said Johnson.

The “non-rodeo day” will be Wednesday, June 18 and will featured all sorts of events, including Cowboy Crazy Days, Ambulance burger and brat feed, Kids Night, Little Scrapper pedal tractor pull, kiddie parade, and free root beer floats. The famous Kiwanis popcorn stand will be open extended hours all weekend, too.

Rodeo days are June 19-21 but there’s other activities planned. Such events as paint pouring, fishing contest, face painting, bingo, street dances and 5k run are planned and will appeal to Western Fest attendees from all over.

A traditional event has been the Miss Western Fest pageant, which has a long history over the years. In fact, Johnson’s mother, Karen, and sister, Nicole DeBoer, were Miss Granite Falls winners. Participation in the pageant has waned recently, however, and Johnson said if that trend continues, she’s not sure about its future.

“Our sponsors have continued to grow over the years and we are grateful to them for helping make this one of the most popular rodeos in the Midwest,” she said.

Johnson is the Director of the National Independent Health Club Association. “It’s a clearing house for insurance companies that want to offer a fitness reimbursement program,” she said. “We manage reimbursement programs at the club level to members, and we manage about 1,000 clubs.” Examples of participating area fitness centers include the YMCA and Anytime Fitness in Marshall, and the Kilowatt Community Center in Granite Falls.

She formerly lived in the Twin Cities in the director capacity, and moved back to Granite Falls in 20010 to be closer to family. She purchased a building on 8th Avenue, and has five full- and part-time employees.

As if that’s not enough, she’s also an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Avera Granite Falls, working nights and weekends.

She’s also busy preparing for her May 3 wedding to Jeff Partington, Director of Maintenance and Grounds for Yellow Medicine East schools.

“I believe I was put on this earth to serve others,” she said. “If I have a legacy to leave, it’s that I want to make a difference by helping people.”