Dayton Rodeo returns
Labor Day weekend will include trick riding, parade
-Messenger file photo by Hans Madsen <br> Nate McFadden manages to stay on the horse but loses his hat during the Bucking Bronc event at the 81st Dayton Championship Rodeo in 2018.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> The first round of Knocker Ball ended in a victory for the bull rather than Shane Halbur, of Dayton, as the ball deflated and he lost his safety vest at the 2018 Dayton Championship Rodeo’s Friday night show. Halbur was treated for a cut on his head.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> Hunter Gree, of Humboldt, removes his hat as the 2018 Dayton Rodeo Championship Rodeo gets started with the Friday night show.
-Submitted photo <br> Katara Jondle, 18, of Dayton, is the 2019 Dayton Senior Rodeo Queen.
-Submitted photo <br> Harley Eckert, of Lehigh, is the 2019 Dayton Junior Rodeo Queen.
-Messenger file photo by Hans Madsen <br> Nate McFadden manages to stay on the horse but loses his hat during the Bucking Bronc event at the 81st Dayton Championship Rodeo in 2018.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> The first round of Knocker Ball ended in a victory for the bull rather than Shane Halbur, of Dayton, as the ball deflated and he lost his safety vest at the 2018 Dayton Championship Rodeo’s Friday night show. Halbur was treated for a cut on his head.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> Hunter Gree, of Humboldt, removes his hat as the 2018 Dayton Rodeo Championship Rodeo gets started with the Friday night show.
-Submitted photo <br> Katara Jondle, 18, of Dayton, is the 2019 Dayton Senior Rodeo Queen.
-Submitted photo <br> Harley Eckert, of Lehigh, is the 2019 Dayton Junior Rodeo Queen.
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DAYTON -- Daring cowboys will see how long they can stay on top of raging bulls during the upcoming Dayton Championship Rodeo.
Watching people atop 2,000 pounds of hopping mad hamburger will be far from the only attraction during the four days of events. Barrel racing, steer wrestling, bareback riding and roping are also on the itinerary.
The action begins Friday at the rodeo grounds in Dayton. It wraps up on Sept. 2, Labor Day.
John S. Payne. who performs trick riding and shooting as the One Arm Bandit, will be the special performer.
Professional rodeo clown Matt Tarr will return to Dayton for the second time in a row this year.
Rodeo organizers have designated Friday as RED night, with RED standing for Remember Everyone Deployed. People with military ID will receive a $2 discount on admission. Everyone is encouraged to wear red that night.
Sunday has been designated Pink Night, and everyone is encouraged to wear pink to show their support in the fight against breast cancer.
Sept. 2 will be Kids Day. Children age 11 and younger will be admitted free with a paying adult.
This will be the 82nd annual performance of the rodeo.
Rodeo Grand Marshal
Anyone who has been to a Dayton Championship Rodeo remembers the big booms that signal the start of the action.
Those blasts are triggered by Earl Hanson, who is the grand marshal of this year's rodeo.
Hanson has been working with the rodeo since he was a boy. He now provides the hay, oats and feed needed by the animals. He also waters all the livestock.
Away from the rodeo, Hanson has served with the Dayton Rescue Squad, Dayton Fire Department, Emanuel Lutheran Church Council, Webster County Pork Producers, and the Des Moines River Valley Antique Tractor Club.
He received the Dayton Community Service Award in 2000.
Rodeo Queens
Katara Jondle, 18, of Dayton, is the 2019 Dayton Senior Rodeo Queen.
She is the daughter of Beverly Jondle and Robbin Dorman.
She is a student at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. There, she is majoring in music education, minoring in photography and earning a coaching endorsement.
Harley Eckert, of Lehigh, is the 2019 Dayton Junior Rodeo Queen.
She is the daughter of Jason and Jenny Eckert. She is an eighth-grader at Southeast Valley Middle School, where she participates in cross country, basketball, track, band and choir.
2019 Dayton Championship Rodeo Schedule
Friday
5 p.m. -- Gates open.
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Kids corral
7 p.m. -- PRCA Championship Rodeo
Fireworks after the rodeo
Saturday
5 p.m. -- Gates open
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Kids corral
7 p.m. -- PRCA Championship Rodeo
Fireworks after the rodeo
Sunday, Sept. 1
5 p.m. -- Gates open.
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Kids corral
7 p.m. -- PRCA Championship Rodeo
Fireworks after the rodeo
Monday, Sept. 2
10 a.m. -- Parade
11:30 a.m. -- Gates open
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- Kids corral
1:30 p.m. -- PRCA Rodeo
Tickets
∫ Age 12 and over -- $20
∫ Ages 6 to 11 -- $10
∫ Younger than 6 -- Free