COLFAX — Anticipation for the rodeo to join Jasper County Fair activities came to an end Saturday night as hundreds of people gathered around the fairgrounds’ arena to watch barrel racing and see cowboys take on bucking broncs and bulls.
The rodeo, sanctioned by Duckworth Rodeo Production of Knoxville, was a new addition to the Jasper County Fair Round Up, which returned for a second year to give guests a sneak peak to the annual county fair in July.
Jasper County Fair volunteer and organizer Alan Guy said the rodeo was a huge success and drew more people than expected.
“That was a better crowd than any of us, I think, anticipated,” Guy said. “I don’t think we can be any happier. We really didn’t hear any bad comments.”
Saturday’s rodeo began shortly after 7 p.m. with Red Rock Riders captain Chelsey Lourens of Colfax, circling the arena with the American Flag as spectators rose for the national anthem. The entire Red Rock Riders team later returned to the arena and performed its synchronized act for the crowd.
It wasn’t long after when dozens of cowboys took on the first round of saddle bronc riding. A total of 16 riders from all over Iowa took turns in the arena trying to stay on the broncs for as long as possible before getting bucked to the ground or jumping from the animals after the buzzer sounded.
Twenty-five contestants then competed in barrel races where riders maneuver around three obstacles set up around the arena as quickly as possible.
During intermission of the three-hour long rodeo, Duckworth Rodeo Productions entertained guests with commentary and even included the crowd in a few activities — one of which allowed kids to enter the arena to participate in a friendly race and get a little dirty. Parents in the crowd moaned as their kids were instructed to take off their shoes, lay down in the arena and make dirt-angels.
At dusk, the big bulls entered for the final competition of the night as 22 cowboys fought off the spinning and bucking beasts for as long as they could.
The night ended with Jasper County Fair organizers extremely thrilled about what had taken place.
“We know we can only improve, do better and make this a long-term established rodeo that everyone will want to come to,” Guy said. “The competitors last night were really pleased and the contractor was really pleased. Based on the return that we got last night, the feedback and the positive comments, I would say there’s a pretty strong possibility it’s coming back.”
There were some recommendations on improvements, such as creating more seating and making the horse arena better suitable for a rodeo. Guy said a transition to a full rodeo, which also includes roping and steer wrestling, is a strong possibility as well.
The rodeo was also where the 2016 Jasper County Fair Queen and Princess made their first public appearance together.
Emily Miller of Newton, was crowned the queen and Rachel Freland of Prairie City, was named the princess an hour earlier inside the youth building. Eight contestants went through five hours of interviews Saturday and each answered one final public question on stage before the competition came to an end.
Jaci Reeves, the 2015 fair queen, placed the crowns and ribbons on the winners, but first shared her year of experiences being the Jasper County Fair Queen.
“I was licked by dairy cattle, walked on by pigs, spit on by llamas and even rammed by goats, but after all of that not once did I say ‘man, I wish I wasn’t a Jasper County Fair Queen,’” Reeves said. “For the next queen, hold on tight and enjoy the ride because it goes fast.”
Earlier in the youth building was the Barnyard Babies Review contest, which had two new categories this year — junior princess and junior queen. The new categories were created in order to help young Jasper County girls practice for the future fair queen contest.
Winners of seven other returning categories for boys and girls ages 5 and under were also announced Saturday in a packed building.
During the contests, oreo stacking and coloring competitions took place on the fairgrounds, where there were arts and crafts, games, balloon-making, rides and a selection of fair food that will return next month.
The Jasper County Fair is July 15-21. In the 30th year of the open class building, this year’s theme is “Sew It — Grow It — Show It.”
Contact Alex Olp at aolp@newtondailynews.com