By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Friday night and Saturday night is the Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo and BBQ. Abbyville was named the 2022 PRCA Small Rodeo of the Year.
"For a town of 150 people to come together for two days and be recognized on the national level of rodeo, it speaks volumes for our town and our committee and booster club and the board that spends all the time putting their blood, sweat and tears into this rodeo," said local bullfighter Jake Welker. "It's a great accomplishment and it's a great honor to be recognized as one of the best in the sport of rodeo."
Welker was hurt while out on the rodeo circuit last year, though it was after a rodeo and not during an event, but he's looking forward to getting back on the circuit for this season.
"It's a dangerous sport," Welker said. "We sign up for it. I was pretty fortunate to walk away and I'm recovered and I'm back 110% now. The hardest part was being patient. I was a very impatient person. I'm a go-getter. Sitting on the couch being one-armed for five months was not my thing. I had the drive and the ambition to get back."
Tickets are $10 in advance and are good for either night. There are also Saturday night BBQ tickets available in advance for an additional $8. There are also free pony rides for the kids and the first 30 kids to sign up can also take part in Mutton Busting.
You can grab your tickets at Gambinos in South Hutchinson, A5 Western in Hutchinson, Farmers Coop in Abbyville, Central Prairie Co-op Farm Store in Sterling and Hutchinson, The Village Place in Arlington, Sugar Creek Boutique in Hutchinson and Yoder Auto Center or online at https://abbyvillerodeo.weebly.com/tickets.html.
In addition, there will be a parade Saturday morning in Abbyville in honor of the 2022 PRCA Small Rodeo of the Year award. That parade will start at 10:30 a.m. There will also be cowboy church on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with a carry-in dinner to follow.
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