PRESS RELEASE
Tickets are available online and at local ticket outlets as the City of Idaho Falls gears up for the 108th annual War Bonnet Round Up, Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo, presented by Teton Toyota.
Idaho Falls is proud to bring back the best Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) talent and stock to compete in this annual family-friendly event on Aug. 1-3 at the Bank of Idaho Arena at Sandy Downs.
The rodeo kicks off with the downtown preview event, held on Wednesday, July 31 from 5-7:30 p.m. The kickoff will include free carriage rides, mechanical bull, live country music, a shoot-out by Mountain River Ranch and performances in the downtown arena featuring mini-bull riding, rodeo specialty acts and freestyle bullfighting. Gates open at 5 p.m. for those who want to come early to get the best seats and enjoy the mechanical bull, games, food and vendors.
The rodeo begins on Thursday, August 1, with gates opening at 5 p.m. The Youth Rodeo events will begin at 7 p.m. and the PRCA rodeo events will start at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 7:50 p.m. on Saturday.
Thursday is also Family Night with free activities for families to participate in from 5 p.m. until the rodeo starts. Activities will include carnival-style games, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and a dunk tank.
Each evening will feature amazing wild horse racing sponsored by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. This year’s War Bonnet Round Up features a brand new event, Women’s Breakaway Roping, in addition to the World’s Richest Wild Horse Race with prize money totaling more than $15,000.
PRCA sanctioned events will include steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, barrel racing, bareback riding and bull riding. Slack will also be held for free on Friday morning beginning at 11 am.
Friday is Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night sponsored by Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, rodeo fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support for breast cancer awareness. Saturday Night is a special Salute to Our Veterans for the community to help honor and recognize the great contributions our men and women in the military have made to protect and defend our country.
“The Board of Directors and committee members have been working very hard to make this the best rodeo in our history,” said PJ Holm, Interim Director of the City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department. “We are thankful for the many sponsors and volunteers who help to put on this event every year. Tickets often sell out, so we encourage folks to get their tickets early so they don’t miss any of the amazing rodeo action.”
Tickets are available online at www.warbonnetroundup.org. Thursday & Friday, tickets are $25 for adults (ages 11 and up), $10 for children (ages 3 - 10) and children 2 years and younger are free. Saturday tickets are $30 for adults (ages 11 and up), $10 for children (ages 3 - 10) and children 2 years and younger are free. An adult must accompany all children. The $5 dollar parking fee is not included in the ticket, however, every parking pass comes with an official rodeo program and day sheet. Tickets are also available at local ticket outlets including Teton Toyota, KJ’s on Sunnyside, Boot Barn, Vickers, Sportsman Warehouse, Idaho Falls Rec Center and C-A-L Ranch.
Source: City of Idaho Falls