The Tri-State Rodeo
Approaching the Arena
Mexican Fighting Bulls
Original G
The Corporate Seats
The M.C. runs the whole event from his horse.
Bucking Bronco
Future Home of Bad Company
Barrelman
Bull Riding
Every year, just after Labor Day, hundreds of cow-folk converge on Ft. Madison, Iowa, for the annual Tri-State Rodeo. Now before my Great Aunt died, she was the rodeo’s accountant and every year she would give my father front row tickets to the finals on Saturday night. This meant that I got to go to the rodeo every year from when I was a little kid, until I went off to college.
This year I made my triumphant return to the rodeo arena. And as usual, when you are a grownup and you re-live a classic childhood experience your eyes are opened. And the rodeo is no exception. I’m glad I still liked it.
