Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Competitors from across the country are expected in Kimball this weekend for the 2017 Kimball Ranch Rodeo. The annual event has been a big draw for contestants and fans alike. Here, a bronc rider holds on tight as his mount tries to throw him during the 2016 ranch rodeo.
Grab your boots and your spurs, it's time for the 9th Annual Kimball Ranch Rodeo, Saturday, June 10, beginning at 5:30 at the Kimball Fairgrounds.
Kimball will be full of cowboys, cowgirls, horses and trailers, that are all ready to get down and dirty. Some of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado's finest will compete in the Kimball Ranch Rodeo for a chance to win a little bit of money, earn a few more points in their circuit and, of course, have some fun.
Fans will see a great round of action from 15 bronc riders and eight teams Saturday night.
Kimball Ranch Rodeo is part of the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association, also know as the WSRRA, with headquarters in California. When contestants compete and win in a WSRRA sanctioned rodeo they earn points to add up in their circuit standings to qualify for the year end finals, held in Winnemucca, Nev.
The Kimball Ranch Rodeo has been a part of this community for nine years now, thanks to Kimball's own Alex Engstrom who started the annual event locally in 2009.
This very entertaining performance includes five events; Ranch Bronc Riding, Trailer Loading, Branding and Doctoring, Team Tying, and of course the Wild Cow Milking.
"The Wild Cow Milking is a really fun way to end the night, we always get to see a lot of great cowboy action as the contestants get drug around the arena. We never want to see anyone get hurt, but they always put on a good show," Colby Lukassen, long time committee member, said.
This is the time of the year when most people want to be outside enjoying the weather, hanging out with friends. What better way to do that than heading out to the Fairgrounds to support your local very hard working members and volunteers of the Kimball Ranch Rodeo Committee? These guys and gals work very hard all year round to put on a great night filled with excitement, laughs, for the town and surrounding areas of Kimball.
"I am very happy we have a local venue where all our local cowboys can come and participate and show off their skills and have a little friendly competition with each other and give the locals something to whoop and holler about," Committee member Sharon Baker added.
Concessions will be available, as will a beer garden, for those 21 and older. Following the rodeo the Cheyenne, Wyo. Band, Whiskey's Alibi, will be ready to kick off the rest the night off performing at the dance in the hog barn.
"We are thrilled to have Whiskey's Alibi here for the first time for the dance," committee member Julianne Lukassen said. "So make sure everyone sticks around."
This event, just like many others in the town, requires a lot of time, effort, sponsors and many working hands, even those who don't get noticed.
The Kimball Ranch Rodeo cannot thank all of those people and businesses enough for all of their support over the years.
Justin Perry is one of many committee members who is very thankful for everything that is done to help out with this great event.
"We are very appreciative of the support from the community, the businesses and the individuals, the rodeo would not be a success without everyone's time and effort through sponsorships, and their attendance of our event. The committee is very proud to donate back to a local organization or a cause in the community every year. We plan on being able to do this as long as the rodeo is around," he said.
Alex Engstrom added that this year the Kimball Ranch Rodeo is Proud to make their donation to the Pheasants Forever Youth Program, this will include a youth hunt as well as educational opportunities for the youngsters.
The committee would also like to recognize the Stock Contractors this year, Gary Rodaml for bringing the ropin' steers, Wayne Larsen of Bad Medicine Rodeo Company for the buckin' horses and Engstrom Cattle for the cows and calves to use in the Branding and Doctoring, and the Wild Cow Milking.
"I want to thank all the cowboys that want to come up here and show off what they have and all the stock contractors for bringing some awesome rodeo stock to help us put on our ranch rodeo," committee member Cory Shaw said.
The committee also wants to recognize all the volunteers that back up the committee during the performance.
"We have a great crew up in the crows nest, keeping time and taking scores, crews working behind the chutes, and so much more, without them we wouldn't be able to do this," said Baker.
Engstrom added that Jason Matthis will be announcing from the crow's nest on Saturday.
According to another committee member, Tyson Culek, the successful annual event would not be possible without the generosity and support of the community.
"We hope to see you for another nine years," Culek concluded.
