Tickets on sale for rodeo

Tickets are on sale now for the 2012 Northwest Montana Fair’s RAM PRCA Rodeo, Aug. 16 to 18. Tickets can be purchased at the fairgrounds office or online at www.nwmtfair.com.

 The rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. nightly and is the largest outdoor rodeo in Montana, featuring world-class male and female competitors from Canada and throughout the Western United States aiming for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. Events include bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

 Special to this year’s rodeo is Team Ghost Riders, an act featuring dogs, monkeys and a former bull fighter. Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard of Tupelo, Miss., and his animals have been awarded “Comedy Act of the Year” three times at the International Finals Rodeo.

Rodeo-goers will also be treated to the popular Indian Relay Races every night. Teams will compete for cash prizes in this fast-paced competition.The Mutton Bustin’ sheep riding contest for children ages 5 to 7 is also scheduled.

 Friday is Wrangler Patriot Night. Several local Wrangler retailers are offering customers who purchase $50 or more worth of Wrangler apparel a voucher good for one adult rodeo admission. Participating retailers are Western Outdoor and Murdoch’s Home & Ranch in Kalispell, Ronan Sports & Western and Mountain West Co-op in Ronan.

Friday is also Wounded Warrior Night in honor of Montana’s combat veterans. Veterans showing military identification at the entrance will receive free admission to the fair, a free ticket to that rodeo and a $10 food voucher.