Flathead River Rodeo named INFR’s top event for 2021
Buddy Miller takes the hard exit during bareback competition at the Flathead River Rodeo. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
After a three-year hiatus, the Flathead River Rodeo came back with a bang.
The rodeo, held Aug. 26-28 at the Polson Fairgrounds, recently was named Rodeo of the Year for the Indian National Finals Rodeo tour. The event previously was named Rodeo of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Ronan resident Pete White was chosen by contestants as one of the Top 3 pickup men on the INFR Tour.
The three-day INFR rodeo brought in 510 contestants, along with crew and family, to Lake County for an entire week. Contestants came here from 18 states, including Florida, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, California, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota and two Canadian Provinces.
The entire 40 acres of the Polson Fairgrounds facility was packed with horse trailers, motor homes, campers and tents. Average attendance for each performance was approximately 1,500 rodeo fans. Local vendors provided a variety of food choices to enjoy and items for sale
Tour awards were presented at the INFR Finals on Oct. 19-23 at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas.
The Flathead River Rodeo beat out 16 other INFR Tour events held throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Those who contributed many months of organizing, producing and supporting this event include: Sheila Matt, Pete White, Elmo McDonald, Bryon Miller, S&K Gaming, The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes & Council, KwaTaqNuk Resort and Polson Fairgrounds Inc., plus the generous support from local sponsors and many volunteers who donate money and time to make this large event happen.