PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. — Kansas Largest Night Rodeo is back again this weekend in Pretty Prairie. Justin Rumford is back in town to work the rodeo, as is long-time announcer Randy Corley.
"Find something you like," Rumford said. "Besides just the rodeo, we have specialty acts. We have John Payne, one of the biggest acts in pro rodeo. Twelve times, he's been named act of the year. I've seen that act, since I was little, hundreds of times. Every time I see that act at the rodeo, I will go watch him. It's that entertaining."
There's also of course the horsemanship displayed throughout the event and the fellowship with other rodeo fans, but Rumford says Pretty Prairie is special and not just because it's home.
"It's kind of a cathedral of pro rodeo," Rumford said. "When you think about the places that are special to go play football, they have new stadiums popping up all over, but what makes Arrowhead special? It's special because it's Arrowhead. The Pretty Prairie Rodeo is special because of what it is. When you pull into that little-bitty town and you go back by the high school and there's that beautiful white pipe, huge fence, wonderful bleachers, first class hospitality, the new entryway from a few years ago. When you pull in there, you know you are somewhere."
The Pretty Prairie Rodeo has been going on since 1936. It's almost a guaranteed sellout every year.
"It's wonderful to have that kind of a fan base," Corley said. "We're coming off some tough times a few years ago and people are back outside now. Fresh air, all of that matters and it really matters at events like this one."
The money raised at the rodeo stays in Pretty Prairie to provide scholarships to high school seniors, help groups such as the Prairie Sunset Home, the local food bank, scout troops, golf course, EMS, and the 4-H club.
Wednesday & Thursday are Family Nights -
July 20 & 21
Children 12 & under are admitted FREE
Adult Tickets are $12.00 for East, West, NE, SE, NW Sections (General Adm.)
$14.00 for SW Section (Individual Reserved Seats- rows A-N)
Advanced ticket price: (must be purchased before midnight the night before the performance) -- $12 for SW section
$25.00 for the top row (row O) of the SW Section. No advanced ticket price.
Friday & Saturday Nights - All Seats are Reserved -
July 22 & 23
Adults & children – Same Price (unless they sit on your lap)
$12.00 for NE Section. No advanced ticket price.
$15.00 for West, East, NW, & SE Sections
Advance Ticket Price: $13 for West, East, NW, and SE sections (must be purchased before midnight the night before the performance)
$17 for SW Section - rows A-N. No advanced ticket price.
$25.00 for SW Section - row O (top row). No advanced ticket price.