Merrill will once more host the annual Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo June 7 to 9 at the Lincoln County fairgrounds.
The three day event is filled with a variety of entertainment to interest all ages. The rodeo itself will feature over 250 contestants participating in events like tie-down roping, barrel racing, bronc riding and bull riding to name a few. These events will be held throughout the weekend starting on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and finishing on Sunday at 1 p.m. Due to the growing amount of contestants, a slack event will be held 9 a.m. Sunday to allow them to compete as well. The rodeo also will be featuring the return of rodeo clown and barrel man Jeff (Slim) Garner, who made his rodeo debut in Merrill.
Bleachers have been rented to provide seating for spectators during the event.
Tickets to the rodeo events can be purchased until Friday at ticket outlets or online until Friday at noon at www.wisconsinriverprorodeo.com. The cost of advanced tickets is $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Weekend passes are available in advance for $25 a person to see all three rodeo events. Tickets may be purchased at the gate for $16 for adults and $10 for children.
Along with the rodeo, other events are planned for the weekend. The Jerry Schmitt Band will be performing at 8:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Saturday kicks off with an antique stock tractor pull at 10 a.m. Later in the day, Bricker’s Park City of Merrill will be hosting a charity test drive event of Ram Trucks. From 4 to 6:30 p.m., Brickner’s will be donating $10 per test drive around the fairgrounds to the local food pantry.
Finishing off the weekend on Sunday, the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo will be featuring the Run with the Bulls 5k walk/run at 8:30 a.m. Registration for the event is $30 for individuals and $50 for families (two adults and up to four youth) and can be done in advance online until midnight on Saturday or at the event on race day.
The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo also will be hosting the 2014 Miss Rodeo Wisconsin pageant and along with the rodeo queen contest. They will crown a new rodeo queen and princess on Sunday.
“Just come down and take a walk,” said Pete Annis, vice president of the Lincoln County Rodeo Association, Inc. “There’s something for the whole family. If you want to have fun, come on down.”