The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo will ride into the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Merrill Friday through Sunday, June 8-10, for three Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rodeo performances, with barrel racing by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA).
The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo has been awarded the distinction of being the “Best Medium Size Rodeo” in the Great Lakes Circuit of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association (PRCA) for 2011.
The rodeo’s organizing body, the Lincoln County Rodeo Association, Inc. has been selected as the Small Rodeo Committee of the Year by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA).
The 2012 rodeo weekend kicks off Friday, with vendors on the grounds opening after noon. The Rodeo education tent opens at 5 p.m. Friday night’s rodeo performance is at 7 p.m. Music will be offered at the beer stand from 8-11:45 p.m. by the Marshall Star Band. The beer stand is open until midnight.
Saturday is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” day at the rodeo.
Team Penning will take place in front of the grandstand. Admission is free, starting at 9 a.m. The 3rd annual Antique Stock Tractor Pull will also be free to spectators. Weigh in starts at 10 a.m., with the pulls to follow.
The Rodeo Education Tent opens at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Wear pink to the 7 p.m. rodeo performance and help support cancer education, awareness, and treatment. Tough Enough to Wear Pink clothing and accessories will be sold under the grandstand. All proceeds stay in North Central Wisconsin by going to the Marshfield Clinic where it will be used for cancer awareness, education, treatment, and research.
Once again this year, a custom-made Tough Enough to Wear Pink Quilt will be raffled off. Tickets can be purchased from any rodeo committee member or from the Merrill Chamber of Commerce.
The beer stand will be open until midnight, with music by the Marshall Star Band from 8-11:45 p.m.
Sunday starts with the Running with the Bulls 5K walk/fun run at 8:30 a.m. at the Fairgrounds.
A non-denominational church service will be held at 10 a.m. The Rodeo Education Tent opens at 11 a.m. and Sunday’s rodeo performance will start at 1 p.m. Beer will be served in the grandstand during the performance.
Tickets to the rodeo performances are $10 for adults in advance, or $16 at the gate. Children 6-12 are $6 in advance or $11 at the gate. A weekend pass is $25 in advance or $35 at the gate.
Advanced tickets can be purchased through Wednesday, June 6 at the following locations: Merrill Chamber of Commerce, Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce, Brickner Motors in Little Chicago, Brickner’s Park City of Merrill, Blue Haven Stables of Merrill, Duwayne Kreager Insurance of Merrill and Wausau, Eagles Club of Merrill, Images Salon of Merrill, or from any queen contestant. Regular priced tickets may be purchased at the rodeo ticket booth starting 2 hours before each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.wisconsinriverprorodeo.com. Online ticket sales close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 7.