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PALMER — Rodeo Alaska's 2024 summer season of events is officially underway.
The season kicked off with the annual Northernmost PRCA Xtreme Bulls event at the Alaska State Fairgrounds over Memorial Day weekend. According to Rodeo Alaska owner Frank Koloski, it was a great start to the season with a good turnout.
“Everything came together really well," Koloski said.
The next Rodeo Alaska event is the Dan Fowlie Memorial Rodeo which takes place over Father's Day weekend from June 14 to June 16 at the William Clark Chamberlin Equestrian Center in Anchorage.
The Kenai Peninsula Fair Rodeo takes place at the Peninsula Horseman Association in Ninilchik August 9 to August 11.
The Northernmost Rodeo in America (Golden Days) takes place at the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks July 12 to July 14.
The RAM Championship Timed Event Challenge takes place at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer Aug. 16 to Aug. 18.
The Alaska State Fair Rodeo takes place at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer Aug. 23 to Aug. 25
The Kodiak Rodeo and State Fair takes place at the Kodiak State Fair in Kodiak Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.
Rodeo Alaska currently has about 250 contestants from across the state, according to Koloski. He said there's plenty of skilled rodeo riders in Alaska that entertain their audiences.
“We have some talent. We sure do," Koloski said.
There's currently about 150 Junior Rodeo contestants, according to Koloski. He said it's very rewarding to watch the youth participants grow around the sport to become responsible and well rounded adults.
“We have kids now that were toddlers who are going to college with full ride scholarships,” Koloski said. “That's impactful, where you're seeing the results.”
Koloski said that one of the most appealing aspects of being involved in Rodeo Alaska is the prevailing sense of comradery amongst the contestants. He said they all look out for each other.
“Even though they're competing against others, Everybody is for one another,” Koloski said. “It's a really special sport.”
Koloski said that a lot has changed since he established Rodeo Alaska over a decade ago. He said it started out with just two rodeo events in Anchorage. Now, it spans across the state with an ever growing number of contestants and fans to cheer them on.
“It's unbelievable," Koloski said. “They remember that time of year when the rodeo comes around. That means a lot.”
Koloski said they're all looking forward to the rest of the season
“We're super excited," Koloski said.
Koloski said they will have Dr. Shannon Gulley of Glacier Surgical as the keynote speaker during the Alaska State Fair Rodeo in Palmer in conjunction with Rodeo Alaska's participation with Tough Enough to Wear Pink, a national breast cancer awareness program centered around rodeo and western style events. Koloski said that Rodeo Alaska has been involved with Tough Enough to Wear Pink since 2012.
‘It's really neat to be involved in that," Koloski said.
For more information, visit rodeoalaska.com.
Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com
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