×

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Cowboy Kenny. But what’s he doing at the Dayton Rodeo?

Put on your cowboy boots because the Dayton Rodeo will return for its 81st anniversary on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 3. Yee haw!

-Submitted photos
Kenny Bartram is the specialty act for the 2018 Dayton Championship Rodeo. Bartram — known as Cowboy Kenny — is an American professional freestyle motocross rider. He now takes his skills to entertain rodeo crowds across the country.

DAYTON — New to the Dayton Rodeo this year will be a specialty act called Cowboy Kenny on his “Steel Rodeo Tour.” Cowboy Kenny, an 11-time X Games champion, is one of the most successful dirt bike riders in Freestyle Motocross, or FMX.

He has appeared on MTV’s “Nitro Circus.”

Cowboy Kenny’s performance will feature him flying more than 75 feet in the air on his dirt bike.

Clayton Bills, vice president of the Dayton Rodeo Celebration Committee, said organizers are looking forward to Cowboy Kenny’s performance.

“We’re excited for the motocross guy this year,” Bills said.

-Submitted photo Kori Brennan, 17, of Fort Dodge, a Fort Dodge Senior High senior this fall, is the 2018 Dayton Senior Rodeo Queen.

He added, starting each day this year, there will be a Kids Corral. This will consist of a meet and greet with the rodeo clown, cowboys and cowgirls and rodeo queens.

There will also be face painting, faceboards, picture opportunities and roping demonstrations from cowboys.

“The kiddy corral was a big hit last year,” Bills said.

The PRCA Championship part of the Dayton Rodeo will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and Sept 2, as well as at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 3.

During this portion each day will be roughstock events and timed events. Roughstock events are bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. The timed events are steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing.

-Submitted photo Kylee Gregory, 12, is the 2018 Dayton Junior Rodeo Queen. She is going into seventh grade at Southeast Valley Middle School, Burnside.

The amateur events during the rodeo this year will be mutton bustin’, wild horse races, junior bull riding and knocker bull.

The announcer this year will Boyd Paulhamus, who has been with the Dayton Rodeo for around 14 years.

From 2007 to 2009 Paulhamus was named announcer of the year, and twice he has been chosen to announce for the Dodge National Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho.

He’s also announced the Texas Circuit Finals and the Badlands, Turquoise Montana and Southeastern Circuit finals 10 different times.

Professional rodeo clown Matt Turr will also be featured in between events to entertain an audience of all ages.

On Friday Aug. 31, a military discount of $2 will be provided to members with a military identification, out of appreciation for their service.

During each day there will be a carnival, food and treats in Oak Park and a vending and flea market. Fireworks will be after the shows every night except for Sunday.

In addition to the show, the annual Dayton Labor Day Parade will be held on Sept. 3 starting at 10 a.m.

“It’s going to be a great year,” Bills said. “We have really high hopes for this year like we did last year, and last year was a huge success for us. Come out and enjoy the show.”

___________

81st annual Dayton Championship Rodeo

Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 in Dayton. Adult tickets are $20; children ages 6-11, $10. Kids under 6 get in free.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today