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Keeping the rodeo tradition alive

Many hands work to make Dayton event possible

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Hunter Gree, 9, of Humboldt, removes his hat as the annual Dayton Championship Rodeo gets started in 2018.

Editor’s note: This feature first ran in a special publication called Hometown Pride, featuring people and organizations from Fort Dodge and the surrounding area who

are working hard for their communities.


DAYTON — For the members of the Dayton Championship Rodeo Committee, planning is a year-long process that involves many people, many hours and tons of dedication.

The committee is made up of five representatives from the Dayton Wranglers Saddle Club and five representatives from the Dayton Community Club.

-Messenger photos by Hans Madsen
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.

The rodeo is the biggest annual event in Dayton. Each year it brings in thousands of visitors for both the rodeo events and the annual Labor Day Parade.

The committee is dedicated to making sure they have a great rodeo to attend and an enjoyable visit to Dayton.

It takes many hands from around the area.

Lynne Heckman, of Boone, is a five-year veteran of the committee.

“For an event this size, you have to have members from other communities. It’s great to get that support from other communities. We need the support of all of them.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Members of the Dayton Championship Rodeo Committee meet to work on finalizing plans for the 2019 rodeo event. Members of the committee are, clockwise from center, Matt Johnson, chairman; Heather Reek, Lynne Heckman, John Porter, Clayton Bills, Travis Klingson, Gary Schlief, Kevan Smith, Chris Mallicoat, John Skoglund and Jerry Neimeyer. Not pictured are Joe Tuel and Bob Runge.

Heckman came to the committee via the Saddle Club.

“My kids grew up showing horses here,” she said. “This is my way of giving back to the community.”

The rodeo has a long history in Dayton. This year is the 82nd rodeo year.

The committee works hard to respect the traditions of the show and also to incorporate modern features into it.

“It’s a fine line to walk,” she said.

One of the things the committee has embraced is various social media. She said it helps attract visitors and really shows them that they’re heading to a well-run professional event.

“We’re not just competing against local events,” she said, “but other options three hours away.”

Matt Johnson, of Stratford, is chairman of the committee.

He said the planning for the next year’s event actually starts before this year’s rodeo is over.

He said they’ve already booked several acts, bull fighters and rodeo clowns for the 2020 rodeo.

He loves it.

“There’s a lot of tradition here,” he said. “I grew up in Dayton. I grew up around the rodeo.”

Another member recalled Johnson’s early days.

“You snuck in under the fence,” he joked.

“That never happened,” Johnson replied.

Heather Reek, of Dayton, is serving her second year on the committee.

“I wanted to be involved in the small community that’s building to look to the future,” she said. “We’re supporting a small town; we’re putting on a really good show.”

She said the attitude of the committee can best be described as a team.

“We all work as a team,” she said. “We do what’s in the best interest of Dayton and the rodeo.”

Committee member John Skoglund, of Dayton, has a simple reason for being part of the committee.

“Because I love it,” he said.

The full committee is made up of Lynne Heckman, Boone; John Porter, Dayton; Gary Schlief, Dayton; Kevan Smith, Gowrie; Chris Mallicoat, Boone; Jerry Neimeyer, Harcourt; Matt Johnson, Stratford; Heather Reek, Dayton; Clayton Bills, Fort Dodge; Travis Klingson, Paton; John Skoglund, Dayton; Joe Tuel and Bob Runge.

This year’s Dayton Championship Rodeo will be held on Labor Day weekend, as per tradition.

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