Tickets are on sale for the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene.
It runs at 7:30 p.m. July 30 – 31, August 1 and 2.
Bucking bulls and broncs, ropers, and riders are all part of the rodeo.
There will be a new face among the rodeo personnel this year. Ethan McDonald, an Abilene native, will work as one of the bullfighters at the rodeo. McDonald has had his Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association membership for two years. Dustin Brewer, Prairie du Chien, Wis. will join him as a bullfighter. It will be his 14th trip to Abilene.
The rodeo is a tradition in the Abilene community. Dr. Mike Whitehair, who has been the attending veterinarian at the rodeo for more than 30 years, enjoys it. “There’s something special about when ( announcer ) Mike Mathis does his thing on Saturday night, in Abilene, Kansas, under the stars, it’s a special deal.” Whitehair also gives credit to a strong rodeo committe. “The volunteers give it their full attention. They focus on a high quality rodeo.”
The rodeo clown for this year’s rodeo is John Harrison. Harrison, grandson of world champion bull rider Freckles Brown, was selected to work pro rodeo’s Super Bowl, the National Finals Rodeo, in 2013 and worked it two times prior. In 2012, he was voted PRCA’s Clown of the Year.
Sammy Andrews of Bagwell, Texas is the stock contractor.
The rodeo is held in conjunction with the Central Kansas Free Fair, which is July -August 5. After the rodeo ends on August 2, derbies take center stage. Team derby is on Sunday, August 3, the combine demo derby with compact figure eight race is on Monday, August 4, and the auto demo derby on Tuesday, August 5 wraps up the fair.
Tickets for the rodeo and fair events are available online at www.CKFF.net, at the fair office ( 619 North Rogers Street ), and at area retailers, including Rittel’s Western Wear. For more information on the rodeo visit www.WildBillHickokRodeo.com. For more information on the fair, visit www.CKFF.net or call the fairgrounds at 785-263-4570.
Rodeo tickets are $10 for adult advanced and $12 at the gate. Children ages six to twelve are $6, and children five and under are admitted free.