SPOONER — Spooner Rodeo favorite Kelly Kenney will return for the 70th Rodeo July 11-13, announcing the action and entertaining thousands of fans. Over the years, he has become something of an honorary Spooner citizen, and very much a great friend of many people in the area. He has even been known to take a little bit of spare time to dip a line into the cold waters of Shell Lake and other area fishing hotspots.
This is what Kenney wrote about Spooner Rodeo a couple years ago on Facebook …
“It’s indescribable how thankful we are for our little family to gain these amazing memories together, see America’s beauty, love/live the rodeo life & be blessed with these wonderful people & communities that have truly became part of our family.
“The Heart Of The North Rodeo in Spooner, Wisconsin is one of the towns I speak of. With a population of only 2500-ish, thousands of screaming rodeo fans converge on this serene little slice of Heaven that’s tucked in the Northwoods of Northwestern Wisconsin and turn it into a gentle giant. In its 68th year, Sold Out every performance, this event is so much more than just a rodeo.
“Longevity is synonymous with almost every aspect of the Spooner Rodeo. The Barnes family have been the stock contractor here for all 68 years, some members of the committee have been volunteering for all 68 years, some volunteer families are 3 & 4 generations deep & still very active. Mr. (Dick) Fankhauser has been our chairman for 35 years, some of the same businesses have been sponsoring this event for 68 years & others for decades, many families/fans have been coming here for all 68 years & others many decades, it’s a real life annual tradition for many folks.
“It’s a true breathe of fresh air to see people from all walks of life, different races, different political views & beliefs, etc., set together, laugh together, cheer together, stand & honor our American Flag together & just have fun with no negativity of any kind for a couple hours a night, every night, every year. Keep up the good work Spooner & Fans! Thank you all for allowing us to be a part of this amazing piece of history.
See ya next year!”
Kenney was born in 1975 and raised in a small town in Southwest Missouri with hard-working, loving parents and two older brothers. Kenney credits his parents for allowing his dreams of becoming a cowboy to come true.
He says, “Just now, I realize how many sacrifices my family made to haul me to all of those high school rodeos. (We were) living off of very little, but I never knew it; I felt I was the richest kid in the world.”
At an early age, he learned to ride a stubborn little sorrel pony, and it wasn’t long before that experience developed into a love of rodeo. In 1996 at a rodeo in his home-town, the announcer didn’t show. Kenney reluctantly agreed to help. That night in November of 1996, he was “bitten by the entertainment bug,” as he puts it. In 2001, Kenney began his career as a pro announcer.
Now Kenney announces PRCA Rodeos full-time, working approximately 30 to 40 events each year, traveling from Georgia to California and Texas to Montana. Last year, he announced three Wisconsin rodeos, Spooner, Madison and Merrill.
With a cow and calf operation at home, Kenney’s life remains full of responsibilities, including his wife, Amanda, and a young son, who often accompany him to Spooner.
Kelly says, “Now when rodeo season slows down in the fall, I get a chance to go hunting, pick with the band and auctioneer some sales. Most importantly, I get to truly enjoy my family.”
To find out more about Kelly Kenney, visit his website: www.kellykenney.com.
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