Watching people atop 2,000 pounds of hopping mad hamburger will be far from the only attraction during the four days of events. Barrel racing, steer wrestling, bareback riding and roping are also on the itinerary.

The action begins Friday at the rodeo grounds in Dayton. It wraps up on Sept. 2, Labor Day.

John S. Payne. who performs trick riding and shooting as the One Arm Bandit, will be the special performer.

Professional rodeo clown Matt Tarr will return to Dayton for the second time in a row this year.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The first round of Knocker Ball ended in a victory for the bull rather than Shane Halbur, of Dayton, as the ball deflated and he lost his safety vest at the 2018 Dayton Championship Rodeo’s Friday night show. Halbur was treated for a cut on his head.

Rodeo organizers have designated Friday as RED night, with RED standing for Remember Everyone Deployed. People with military ID will receive a $2 discount on admission. Everyone is encouraged to wear red that night.

Sunday has been designated Pink Night, and everyone is encouraged to wear pink to show their support in the fight against breast cancer.

Sept. 2 will be Kids Day. Children age 11 and younger will be admitted free with a paying adult.

This will be the 82nd annual performance of the rodeo.

Rodeo Grand Marshal

Anyone who has been to a Dayton Championship Rodeo remembers the big booms that signal the start of the action.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Hunter Gree, of Humboldt, removes his hat as the 2018 Dayton Rodeo Championship Rodeo gets started with the Friday night show.

Those blasts are triggered by Earl Hanson, who is the grand marshal of this year’s rodeo.

Hanson has been working with the rodeo since he was a boy. He now provides the hay, oats and feed needed by the animals. He also waters all the livestock.

Away from the rodeo, Hanson has served with the Dayton Rescue Squad, Dayton Fire Department, Emanuel Lutheran Church Council, Webster County Pork Producers, and the Des Moines River Valley Antique Tractor Club.

He received the Dayton Community Service Award in 2000.

Rodeo Queens

Katara Jondle, 18, of Dayton, is the 2019 Dayton Senior Rodeo Queen.

-Submitted photo
Katara Jondle, 18, of Dayton, is the 2019 Dayton Senior Rodeo Queen.

She is the daughter of Beverly Jondle and Robbin Dorman.

She is a student at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. There, she is majoring in music education, minoring in photography and earning a coaching endorsement.

Harley Eckert, of Lehigh, is the 2019 Dayton Junior Rodeo Queen.

She is the daughter of Jason and Jenny Eckert. She is an eighth-grader at Southeast Valley Middle School, where she participates in cross country, basketball, track, band and choir.

2019 Dayton Championship Rodeo Schedule

Friday

-Submitted photo
Harley Eckert, of Lehigh, is the 2019 Dayton Junior Rodeo Queen.

5 p.m. — Gates open.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Kids corral

7 p.m. — PRCA Championship Rodeo

Fireworks after the rodeo

Saturday

5 p.m. — Gates open

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Kids corral

7 p.m. — PRCA Championship Rodeo

Fireworks after the rodeo

Sunday, Sept. 1

5 p.m. — Gates open.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Kids corral

7 p.m. — PRCA Championship Rodeo

Fireworks after the rodeo

Monday, Sept. 2

10 a.m. — Parade

11:30 a.m. — Gates open

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Kids corral

1:30 p.m. — PRCA Rodeo

Tickets

∫ Age 12 and over — $20

∫ Ages 6 to 11 — $10

∫ Younger than 6 — Free