Plans are being finalized for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s “2013 Railtown U.S.A. Collegiate Rodeo presented by First National Bank” that is scheduled to take place during Rail Fest,Sept. 20-21, at the Nebraskaland Days Wild West Arena in North Platte.
According to Chuck Salestrom, Mid-Plains Community College Area Associate Vice President of Marketing, Public Information and Development, although the college rodeo is associated with Rail Fest, it is not a component of the annual event.
“We are grateful that Don Kurre and his staff are allowing us to team up with the increasingly popular Rail Fest event. The activities of Rail Fest typically take place during the daytime hours of the weekend and are focused mainly on celebrating the bond between the Union Pacific Railroad, its employees, our community and the thousands of railroad enthusiasts who come to North Platte for the weekend,” he said. “The Rodeo will take place on Friday and Saturday nights and will hopefully provide an enjoyable evening of entertainment for those who may not have ever been close to a rodeo before. After all, North Platte is the ‘Birthplace of American Rodeo’ and since the Buffalo Bill Rodeo is such a world-class event we’re planning to model our Railtown USA College rodeo after it.”
Salestrom noted that the NIRA Great Plains Region awarded the collegiate rodeo competition to MPCC earlier this summer. Twelve men’s teams and nine women’s collegiate rodeo teams from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin compete in the Great Plains Region.
Salestrom said the college is appreciative of the Nebraskaland Days organization for their support of the Rodeo.
“This Rodeo just wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of the folks at Nebraskaland Days,” he said. “Among other things, they are allowing us use of the Wild West Arena and are also selling tickets for us though their office. We’re extremely grateful for all they are doing to help.”
Another organization that has stepped up to the plate is First National Bank-North Platte, Salestrom said.
“We’re excited and grateful to First National Bank for joining us in what is expected to be a great weekend of quality rodeo events,” he said.
The rodeo will begin at 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights. General admission tickets for each night are $10 for adults and $7 for children. Tickets are available at the Nebraskaland Days office, 509 E. 4th St. in North Platte, or online athttps://www.elevate.com/