Established in 1937 by Allen Porter, Duane Vegors and Vern Danielson, the Dayton Champtionship Rodeo has been a major staple of the community. When discussing the upcoming rodeo with the Dayton Rodeo’s Co-chairman Matt Johnson, he said the 85th anniversary “says a lot for the rodeo.” It shows how much of an impact the rodeo has made upon the community and how much of a fixture it has become in those 85 years.

The rodeo will include many classic events as well as a few special ones. Some of the major riding events include saddle bronc riding which is where a rider tries to stay on a bucking horse; ranch bronc riding, which is similar to saddle bronc but uses different types of saddles; and bull riding where a rider is on a bucking bull.

One of the special acts being shown is Roman riding which is a type of trick riding where one rider stands on the back of two horses, one foot on each.

There are also roping events like team roping where two riders attempt to rope up a steer, and tie down roping where one rider ties down a calf. Another event will be barrel racing where a rider and horse will attempt to race around a pre-set track of barrels and get the fastest time.

-Messenger file photo
A team tries to subdue its horse during the wild horse race at the 2021 Dayton Championship Rodeo.

There are also events for children such as mutton busting, where kids ride sheep in a similar fashion to bronc riding, and there is an event called the sheep scramble which is returning from last year’s rodeo. The sheep scramble will have children chase three sheep with money prizes attached to them, and the winner will be whoever catches them first.

The rodeo will be held on today through Monday. The shows today, Saturday, and Sunday will start at 7 p.m. The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. Monday in downtown Dayton, and the show on Monday will start at 1:30 p.m.

All shows will be at the Dayton Rodeo Arena, 75 S. Main St.

Vendors and food will be available throughout the weekend.

Admission prices run from $20 for those and over, $10 for children 6 to 11, and free for any child under 6 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the arena or online at www.daytonrodeo.com.

-Messenger file photo
Justin Morehouse, of Mound City, Kansas, grabs hold of the steer during steer wrestling at the 2021 Dayton Championship Rodeo.

-Messenger file photo
Bull rider Wade Berg holds on as his bull tries to throw him off during the last day of the 2021 Dayton Championship Rodeo.