70th Spooner Rodeo: Rodeo a tremendous success; the final ride for great leader

SPOONER — After 70 years, the Spooner Heart of the North Rodeo just seems to be getting bigger, better and more successful each and every year.

For the second year in a row, all three nights of the Rodeo were sold out as thousands of Spooner Rodeo fans descended on the area to thrill to bull and bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and all things rodeo.

During the past week, Spooner Rodeo fever again took hold of the area. Many people who have seen the Rodeo before were anxious to see it again, while those who had not taken in the Spooner Rodeo yet were thrilled to be able to jump into the saddle for their first ride.

Cowboy hats are regular apparel for many in the Spooner area, but during the weekend they were literally everywhere as people got into the mood. One group of girls spotted at McDonald’s giggled openly as they compared the several hats they had just purchased downtown, gushing about how anxious they were to see their first Spooner Rodeo.

Rooms were snapped up quickly, many of them reserved a year in advance. License plates from places like Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas, North Dakota and Montana began showing up in good numbers around Wednesday, July 10. Many vehicles pulling horse trailers became common sights from Minong to Shell Lake and everywhere in-between.

Rodeo weekend

The weather during the daytime hours was a bit hot and steamy, but once the sun settled behind the pine-covered horizon, things got downright comfortable. From the first performance Thursday night, July 11, through the third performance on Saturday night, July 13, things were nearly perfect. And while a small thunderstorm popped up mid-morning on Saturday, by the time the Spooner Rodeo Parade hit the road, the rain had stopped and a cloud cover cut the heat, making conditions great for the huge crowd lining the highway.

At Centennial Park on Saturday, volunteers from Railroad Memories Museum served delicious brats — and what would a big Wisconsin event like the Spooner Rodeo be without brats, the favorite food for many of us local “Cheeseheads”? And along the way, many of those visitors from Wyoming, Texas and elsewhere discovered just why we like sizzling brats cooked on the grill so much!

The crowd watching the parade was massive, from one end of the route to the other, as everybody from toddlers to the elderly took their seats. Many had placed chairs along the route the previous night. Downtown, Spooner Rodeo announcer Kelly Kenney climbed atop a large wagon to call the parade, his booming voice echoing just as it did for three nights in the arena.

And then the parade itself took place, with all the horses, riders, floats, clowns, Native American dancers, bands, flag teams, trick riders, emergency vehicles and more that fans have come to expect and enjoy.

Terrific Rodeo

Starting on Thursday night, fans began packing the seats at the Spooner Rodeo Arena. They arrived early for the 6 p.m. Exceptional Rodeo events for special-needs children. The kids marched out into the arena, smiling ear-to-ear as they rode hand-rocked bulls and broncs. They giggled and laughed as they roped a special steer, thrilled when the loop settled over the horns. They felt the breeze on their faces as they galloped along on stick horses, and then got to ride an actual horse before climbing aboard a big horse-drawn wagon to circle the arena. The smiles got even bigger as they got their own hats, bandanas and trophies. Proud and happy parents snapped photos as they also wore big smiles. The 70th Spooner Rodeo was off to a great start.

The performances themselves were also excellent, starting with a stirring rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” by singer Savannah Rae, who also turned in three nights of great live music following each performance. Spooner Mayor Gary Cuskey, a longtime and dedicated supporter of the Spooner Rodeo, welcomed fans to Spooner and the Rodeo.

The action was nonstop, from bareback to bulls to the comical Mutton Bustin’ for the kids, the trick riding of Lindy Lica and more.

Chairman retires

The 70th Spooner Rodeo also marked the end of 38 years of leadership by Spooner Rodeo Committee Chairman Dick Fankhauser. Taking over as Committee chairman will be a familiar name to Spooner Rodeo fans, Bob LeMoine, the son of Charter Committee member Bob LeMoine Sr.

“All three nights were sold out again,” said Fankhauser. “Nobody was hurt aside from a few bumps and bruises; no livestock was hurt. It was a good year. And it is a good year to retire; it’s a good feeling.”

But while it was a good feeling for the longtime chairman, there was a lot of emotion on his face, especially Saturday night when Stock Contractor Marty Barnes and his family surprised him with a beautiful engraved rifle. Fankhauser has worked for many years with the Barnes family, first with Bob Barnes and now Marty, to help make the Spooner Rodeo second to none.

“I want to thank all of our great sponsors and all of the fans,” said Fankhauser. “I’ll be in as committee chairman officially until September, but we’re starting to pass the baton right now.”

And with the passing of the baton, LeMoine and the rest of the Spooner Rodeo Committee, along with Barnes PRCA Rodeo Co., will get to work. It’s the closing of one chapter and the starting of another for Spooner Rodeo. And the 71st Spooner Heart of the North Rodeo promises to continue the long history of top-notch, world-class Western action and family entertainment.