LONGFORD- The Longford PRCA Rodeo is celebrating 67 years of rural America and honoring the cowboy way of life at its annual rodeo coming up this Labor Day weekend.
The Longford Rodeo will take place on Friday, September 1, and Saturday, September 2, with nightly performances at 7:30 p.m.
New this year is a barrel racing contest for area youth. “Last year, the community was very supportive of our local youth contestants, so we decided to host a series of summer events and create a special rodeo event just for them,” said Lyle Perry, Longford Rodeo Chairman.
Throughout the summer, local youth participated in three run-off contests. Contestants will have their scores averaged from the three events with the top scores competing in a special rodeo contest on Friday and Saturday night of the rodeo.
“We’re really excited to find new ways to engage our area youth at rodeo. We’re looking forward to everyone coming out to celebrate the area youth, as well as our 67th anniversary,"Perry said.
In addition to the new youth events, the Longford Rodeo Committee has completed several facility updates to the rodeo grounds, including painting the bucking chutes and ticket booth, the replacement of tin on out buildings, and the addition of a lean-to for shade.
This year’s Longford Rodeo will feature Justin Rumford, 9-time PRCA Clown of the Year, and Cowboy Kenny’s Steel Rodeo as the specialty act. Free barbeque sandwiches will be available to attendees on
Friday night while supplies lasts. On Saturday night, the Longford Rodeo will sponsor a dance with live music from the Sierra Band. A beer garden will be available both nights.
Advance tickets are available at Vanderbilt’s in Salina, Rittel’s Western Wear in Abilene, Friesen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Clay Center, and more.
Tickets are also available at the gate.
Adult tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children’s tickets (age 6-12) are $3 in advance; $5 at the gate (ages 5 and under are free). For more information, visit the Longford PRCA Rodeo Facebook page @LongfordPRCARodeo