THAT’S THE TICKET

It’s the best ticket in Kansas, said Ricky Solida, rodeo committee member and volunteer.

“Champions compete in Phillipsburg,” he said. “We have some of the same cowboys and cowgirls you’ll see at pro rodeo’s world championships, the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas,” he said.

The rodeo takes place July 31-August 1-2 with shows at 8 pm each night.

Slack will be July 29 and 30 at 7 pm each night, with competition in the steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing. Slack is the extra competition that doesn’t fit into the performances. It is free and open to the public.

Fans are asked to wear pink on July 31 for the rodeo’s annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. For every fan in pink, one dollar is donated by the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association to the fund, called Hope in the Heartland. Seven area organizations match the rodeo’s contribution: A&A Distributing, Amber Wave, B&B Redimix, Inc., Blossoms and Butterflies, Farmers State Bank, W.B. DesJardins Fund and Rodgers and Associates.

The brisket meal for associate members will take place July 30 at 6 pm at the rodeo grounds. Associate memberships are $125 and include the brisket meal, preferred parking, and the chance to win $10,000, $2,500 and $1,000. Memberships will be available for purchase in June at First National Bank and Trust, Cliff’s Welding, Matteson Motors, Garrett Insurance, Phillipsburg Liquor and Wine Cellar, or through a rodeo committee member.

The rodeo will offer a Family Night discount for kids tickets on July 31. Kids ages 12 and under get free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket, and the free barbecue is the same night, with a free hamburger and side to ticket buyers. The free barbecue is sponsored by High Plains Farm Credit, Phillips County Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Phillips County Kansas Livestock Association and Prairie Land Electric Cooperative.

Friday, August 1 is Coors night, with Coors caps to the first 1,500 fans through the gate.

Live music by the band Steel Skarecrow follows the rodeo, at the rodeo grounds, on August 1-2.

General admission tickets for Thursday, July 31 are $18 for adults and free for all children, ages 3-12.

General admission tickets for August 1-2 are $19 for adults and $13 for children.

Reserved seating for all three nights is $22 for adults and $17 for children.

Tickets will be sold in person beginning July 1 at Garrett Insurance (685 Third Street, Phillipsburg) and over the phone (785.543.2448).

For more information, visit the website at KansasBiggestRodeo.com or call 785.543.2448.