Battle for the Prairie Rodeo coming to Grinnell on June 8

         The popular sport of bronc riding is part of a fun evening of rodeo action that includes bull riding, barrel racing at family-friendly events at the Battle for the Prairie Rodeo coming to Grinnell on Saturday, June 8. The rodeo is being held at Lacaeyse Trailer Sales, 4192 Highway 146. Doors open at 5 p.m. with rodeo action getting underway at 7 p.m. following by a concert featuring Cody Hicks and band. Submitted photo.

J.O. Parker
 
         It will be a night of bronc and bull riding, barrel racing and fun games for the kids and whole family at the first Battle for the Prairie Rodeo coming to Grinnell on June 8.
      The event is being held at Lacaeyse Trailer Sales, 4192 Highway 146, on the southside of Grinnell. Wildhorse Productions, LLC of Iowa City and Sandburr Rodeo Productions, Inc. of Lisbon are presenting the event.
     Charlie Isaacs, manager of Grinnell Theisen’s and his wife, Ashley, are the owners of Wildhorse Productions, LLC. Sandburr Rodeo Productions, Inc. is owned by Tim and Jayme Moore. The duo has been promoting rodeos together mostly in Eastern Iowa for more than five years.
      Together, the two production companies host rodeos in Marengo, Tiffin, West Liberty, Davenport, Coralville and Dubuque. Plans are also in the works to host a rodeo in Ottumwa this coming fall. 
         “I’ve worked in Grinnell for 10 years and bringing the rodeo here was a good opportunity to showcase the events that we put on,” Isaacs said.
          Gates open at 5 p.m. with a family free show that goes until 6:15 p.m. The show includes free pony rides, stick horse races and a meet and greet and autographs with the cowboys and cowgirls of Sandburr Rodeo Productions.
          The rodeo begins at 7 p.m. and includes Bareback Broncs, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc and Ranch Bronc.
           “What makes this rodeo unique is having a variety of events including Bareback Broncs, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc, Ranch Bronc, Bull Riding and Mutton Busting,” said Isaacs. “There will also be mini bronc and bull riding and junior barrel racing for the little ones. Another thing we do is boot race for little kids to give them a chance to get in the arena with Jooey the Rodeo Clown.”
           A bad boy/girl bull riding challenge between four contestants is also part of the fun at the event.
         Food trucks and food stands will be available and they include Paparonis, a Grinnell-based mobile Italian eatery, Hawaii Grill food truck, Bill-Do-BBQ truck, Katies Donuts, La Terraza Mexican Grill taco stand and Red’s Chill Grill along with a beer stand, all opening at 5 p.m.
          No outside food or drink are allowed on the premises.
       Montezuma’s Cody Hicks and band will close out the evening beginning at 9:30 p.m. and play until 11 p.m.
     Tickets are $15 in advance and are available at Theisen’s in Grinnell and Newton and also at wildhorseproductionsllc.com. Tickets are $20 at the door. Children age 3 – 12 are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children age 2 and under get in for free.
        “We are fortunate to have Josh and Julie Lacaeyse with Lacaeyse Trailer Sales be the host for the Battle for the Prairie Rodeo,” said Isaacs. “We are blown away from all the local sponsorship support  to make this event possible.”
          For more information, visit wildhorseproductionsllc.com. 

        There will be plenty of bull riding and bronc riding at the Battle for the Prairie Rodeo in Grinnell on Saturday, June 8. Bring the whole family for an entertaining evening of rodeo action. Submitted photos.