The pro rodeo, Aug. 3-6, runs in conjunction with the Central Kansas Free Fair, Aug. 4-9.
The entire town gets behind the rodeo, said Abilene businessman Bud Bankes.
“It’s our premier community event for the whole year,” he said. “Everybody lives for the fair and rodeo every year.”
A group of 26 men serve as the organization behind the rodeo. They do everything from garnering sponsorships to producing the event, and Bankes said that group is the heart of the rodeo.
“They have done wonders in bringing this (rodeo) up from a plain old every day rodeo to a super rodeo,” he said.
The Abilene rodeo has four times been one of five rodeos nationwide nominated for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Medium Rodeo of the Year award.
Participating in the rodeo will be three members of the Bankes Barrel Racing Team.
Tickets for the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo are $9 for advance adult and $10 for adults at the gate. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $6. Ages five and under get in free.
A rodeo pass, good for all four nights of the events, is $30.
Tickets can be purchased at the Central Kansas Free Fair office, Rittel’s Western Wear, West’s Plaza Country Mart, various other locations and online at www.ckff.net. For more information visist www.WildBillHickokRodeo.com.
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
Aug. 4-6, 2011
Grandstand Eisenhower Park
Wed., Aug. 3
8 am - Timed event slack: tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing
7:30 pm - Bulls and broncs; performance includes saddle bronc riding, bull riding, mutton bustin’, rodeo clown
Thurs., Aug. 4
4 p.m. – Parade
Buckeye and West Third in downtown Abilene. The Parade marshal is Lynette Lucas
7:30 pm - Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
Fri., Aug. 5
6:30 p.m. - Belt Buckle Auction
Second of seven in the 4th series; features steer wrestler Wayne Bailey of Hamilton. Also to be auctioned off will be special rodeo items created and donated by Beverly Willcoxon.
7:30 p.m. - Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
Tough Enough to Wear Pink night; fans are encouraged to wear pink; proceeds from the rodeo will go to the Elsie Brooks Cancer fund of Dickinson County.
Sat., Aug. 6
7:30 pm - Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
The rodeos on Aug. 4-6 feature each event: bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding.