SPOONER — It was 70 years ago that a young Iowa cowboy named Bob Barnes helped get a new idea off the ground when he produced, and competed in, the very first Spooner Rodeo. After years of competing himself, Marty Barnes now operates Barnes PRCA Rodeo, continuing the legacy and rodeo lifestyle of his father.
It all began in 1954 with young rodeo rider and up-and-coming stock contractor Bob Barnes. Bob went on to produce every Spooner Rodeo until his passing in 2013, and had a Hall of Fame career as one of the most respected stock contractors in the business. Barnes stock annually takes part in the Great Lakes Circuit Finals and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Bob Barnes was named Stock Contractor of the Year in 1984 and was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1994. The Barnes PRCA Rodeo Co. is the longest-running rodeo company in America, today headed by Bob’s son Marty Barnes and the entire Barnes family, as they continue the long tradition of high-quality rodeo excellence established by Bob.
Bob BarnesA professional rodeo legend and the cornerstone of the Spooner Heart of the North Rodeo since 1954, Bob Barnes passed away on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2013. Affectionately known as “The Colonel,” many in the Spooner area also knew him as a close and treasured friend for many years.
Bob, known throughout the Professional Rodeo Cowboys of America (PRCA) as the premier stock contractor in the business, died at the age of 84 at Careage Hills Nursing Home in his hometown of Cherokee, Iowa.
A former bareback rider and United States Marine Corps veteran who served in the Korean War, Bob held his first rodeo and joined the PRCA in 1950. Bob Barnes was perhaps the most decorated and respected stock contractor in the business. Barnes PRCA Rodeo is the longest-running rodeo company in the United States. In 1984, he was honored as PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year. In 1994 he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. One Hall of Fame, however, was hardly enough. In 2010, Bob and his wife, the late Donita LaVae Barnes, were honored at Oklahoma City as inductees in the Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Starting Spooner Rodeo
It was July of 1954 in Spooner. The town was buzzing about a new summer attraction coming to town — a professional rodeo. It would be headed up by a kid from Iowa, as this announcement in the Spooner Advocate reported …
JULY 10, 1954 — The official arena director will be Bob Barnes with Harold Haynes assisting. Bob Barnes, well known rodeo cowboy, also enjoys the reputation of being the world’s youngest rodeo producer having produced three successful rodeos of his own in consecutive years as well as supplying part or all of the set-up for several other rodeos.
Bob provided stock for every Spooner Rodeo until his passing, and become a trusted partner in the operation. Every time there was a rodeo performance, Barnes PRCA and Spooner Rodeo set a new record for a continued partnership between contractor and rodeo.
“What is fun about rodeo is the folks you get to know,” Bob once said. “Spooner is like a second home. Some of the folks here on the committee I’ve known since before I was married. I’m awful thankful for Spooner. They stuck with me. And we’ve come a long way.”
His sons, Marty and John Barnes, started MJM Rodeos in 1984, following in their father’s bootprints. His daughter, Mitzi, was also part of the operation.
There is something for everyone, a part of the rodeo everyone likes, said Bob before his passing. “It is a link to our history,” he told. “Rodeos started by gathering cattle. It is the only sport started by an industry. Pro rodeo is a sport like no other; nobody is on a payroll. They are not guaranteed anything. At Las Vegas, you can win $10,000 at every performance, or you can go home with nothing. Spooner has worked hard and raised its prize money. They get as good cowboys as anywhere.
“To have a good rodeo, you have to invite the folks. It is really important. And one of the reasons that the Spooner Rodeo is so good is the newspaper and the great coverage the Spooner Advocate provides. It really helps. A lot of people used to think rodeo was kind of a stepchild of sports. Not now. A good example is the National Finals Rodeo, with 17,000, full at every performance. You can’t get a ticket.”
With the passing of his wife, Donita, Bob’s own health began to deteriorate. He didn’t attend many rodeos, but he made a point to get to Spooner for the historic 60th. It isn’t hard to imagine, as Barnes PRCA Rodeo stock roars out into the arena this weekend, that somehow, “The Colonel” will be here for the 70th.
New generation
Barnes PRCA Rodeo is now run by Marty Barnes, like his father, a true friend to Spooner and the Spooner Rodeo. Marty and daughter Micah made it a point to get to Spooner for the Spooner Rodeo Bar-B-Que in June. Besides Micah, Marty’s children include Weston, Mason, Shayla and Mary. Along with five grandchildren, the family is highly involved in rodeo.
At the Spooner Rodeo Bar-B-Que, Marty looked back on his long connection with the Spooner Rodeo.
“I remember the original old wooden bucking chutes,” he said. “West of the arena was nothing but wilderness. I remember Ken Curtis and Candy (actor David Canary) from ‘Bonanza.’ The Fish Hatchery was there, but it wasn’t what it is today. It’s really amazing how the town has grown. And it’s amazing how this town of about 2,500 swells during Rodeo weekend.”
At 70 years, Spooner Heart of the North Rodeo is the oldest produced by Barnes PRCA Rodeo.
“The Buffalo, Minnesota rodeo is one year behind,” said Marty. “Cherokee, Iowa, is in the mid-50s, the Minnesota State Fair the mid-40s. So it’s been a while ago I started coming here.”
And it has been awhile since the Barnes family began coming to Spooner as well.
“Yes, we’ve been with Spooner Rodeo since day one,” said Marty. “There are four generations of Barnes here, and looking around, I see maybe three generations of Spooner Rodeo Committee members. The most unique thing I can think of about Spooner is the generations of committee members involved.”
Marty remembers well his father’s love of coming to Spooner, not only during the rodeo but throughout the year.
“He always loved to go to Nick’s for breakfast,” said Marty with a smile. “And sometimes he would go just for the pie.”
And like his father, Marty has a fondness for the Spooner countryside.
“I enjoy this area,” he said. “I enjoy the fresh air, the blue skies and the bald eagles. The welcome mat is always rolled out for the Rodeo. We always feel welcome here. People out west know about Spooner. That’s a testament to what you guys do here and the hospitality.”
Daughter Micah is continuing the Barnes connection with Spooner Rodeo. She holds the distinction of being the very first contestant to compete in the new breakaway roping event last year. She will compete this year, as well.
Raised in rodeo, Micah became Miss Rodeo Iowa last year and had the distinction of being invited to the Canadian National Finals. Despite her busy schedule, she made sure to get to Spooner last July.
“There are a lot of time zones, a lot of travel. In the arena, I mostly do roping. It just depends on what Dad says — I’m hired help,” she laughed. “We spend about 30 percent of the year on the road. We travel to rodeos, conventions and meetings with rodeo committees.”
But clearly, for the Barnes family, the love of the rodeo lifestyle is still strong.
“Yeah, you get to a town and do what you love,” said Marty. “So yeah, it is still fun. And there always is a new challenge every day.”
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