It's Rodeo Week in Three Forks

It's once again time for the Three Forks Rodeo Dayz and Street Fair, with the popular local event scheduled for Friday, July 15, and Saturday, July 16.

After record-setting crowds in 2021, Rodeo Board Executive Secretary Christina Kamps anticipates more of the same in 2022.

"After last year, it blew me away how much bigger this is getting. It is getting bigger than I ever dreamed it would be. In the hours leading up to the start time last year, my jaw just dropped seeing the sheer number of people because we have never had that kind of crowd. It was so much bigger than the 2019 rodeo," said Kamps. "I don't think any of us believed it was possible to have that many people come to an NRA Rodeo in Three Forks. Lots of other places have an NRA Rodeo, but not like the one in Three Forks. It's different here."

The rodeo will take place on both dates at 7 p.m. at the Three Forks Rodeo Arena, with gates opening at 6 p.m. 

The cost is $20 for adults and $12 for kids 6 to 12. Friday is Family Night, with kids getting into the rodeo for free with a donation to the Headwaters Area Food Bank. Slack is also scheduled at the arena on July 15, starting at 8 a.m. Tickets and more information about the rodeo can be found at www.threeforksrodeo.com.

A community appreciation BBQ is scheduled at the Three Forks branch of First Security Bank on July 15 from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. The Street Fair is scheduled for July 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the parade will take place at 11 a.m. on Main Street. The annual Fireman's Breakfast is scheduled at the Fire Hall from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. Volunteers are still needed, if you would like to help please contact the Three Forks Chamber, Rodeo Board, City of Three Forks.

STICK HORSE

On July 14, the Three Forks Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Stick Horse Rodeo on July 14 that will take place at the Farmer's Market, scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the John Quincy Adams Milwaukee Railroad Park.

The history of the Stick Horse Derby dates back to 2014, when it took place on the lawn at the Sacajawea Hotel.

According to Diane Phillips, it was Hillary Folkvord's idea to have it in conjunction with the Farmer's Market and rodeo weekend, and the first one had about 20 participants.

Phillips said they were at the Sacajawea for several years when the Farmer's Market was at Veteran's Park. She added when the Market was moved to Veteran's Park, they started to hold the derby at Milwaukee Park.

"The Chamber has always held the derby the Thursday before Rodeo Weekend. The kids look forward to it, and the participation has grown tremendously over the years," said Phillips. "The businesses in Three Forks have always generously sponsored one or more horses for the derby each year. The sponsor's names are read at the derby and are also taped on the stick horses."