Rodeos returning to Polson Fairgrounds

It’s nearly time to run the barrels, rope the steers and ride the broncs again at the Polson Fairgrounds.

Officials at S&K Gaming announced last week that the Flathead River Rodeo is set for Aug. 26-28. The event was named the Indian National Finals Rodeo Tour’s rodeo of the year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

“We are so excited and proud to bring the rodeo back and are working hard to make sure we do it in a safe and fun way according to local, state and tribal guidelines,” Rodeo Committee chair Sheila Matt said in a press release. “People are eager to get back to events and especially rodeo.”

This year the INFR has moved away from their traditional region-based season format for the 2021 season and instead sanctioned larger tour rodeos and one-time qualifier events to fill spots to the INFR finals.

The Champions of the Flathead River Rodeo will advance directly to the 2021 Indian National Finals Rodeo at The Southpoint Equestrian Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 19-23. The Flathead River Rodeo will feature top rodeo competitors from across the United States and Canada.

Also returning to the Polson Fairgrounds this summer is the Mission Mountain Rodeo, scheduled for June 25-26. Details are still being worked out for that event.

Both rodeos were cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.