103rd edition of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo happening next week in Burwell

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo will swing open its chutes next week in Burwell. The Hall of Fame rodeo will take place July 24-27th.

Burwell will host some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for four jam-packed nights of rodeo action. Travis Schauda of Broken Bow will be returning for his fifth time announcing the rodeo.

In addition to the standard rodeo events, Nebraska’s Big Rodeo will feature a host of accessory events on the track including Indian relay races, the dinner bell derby, and the wild horse race.

Wednesday evening will also feature the crowning of a brand new pair of rodeo queens. Miss Burwell Rodeo 2023, Brylee Thompson of Hershey, and Little Miss Burwell Rodeo, Kartyr Johnson of Denton, will crown their successors during the first performance.

After suffering huge loss due to a storm in 2022, there have been many construction projects happening at the rodeo grounds. Most notably, a new set of north grandstands is being constructed to replace those damaged by the storm.

Rodeo board president Jess Helgoth says the grandstands will be functional at this year’s rodeo. However, the roof and the event space slated to be underneath the grandstands will not be complete. Other facility improvements rodeo attendees may notice include expanding the size of the dance pavilion, adding restroom accommodations, and increasing the amount of handicap seating.

This year’s Grand Marshal is none other than Nebraska Volleyball Coach, John Cook. The 4x national champion has taken an interest in rodeo and horses over the past few years and will be gracing Nebraska’s Big Rodeo this year. The rodeo committee has even created merchandise to commemorate Coach Cook’s attendance that will be for sale during the rodeo.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance at https://nebraskasbigrodeo.com/tickets/.

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo is held in conjunction with the Garfield County Fair. View the full schedule of events here: https://nebraskasbigrodeo.com/schedule-of-events/

Listen to our interview with Nebraska’s Big Rodeo President Jess Helgoth:

Listen to our interview with announcer Travis Schauda:

Listen to our interview with Hailey DeMers of Pioneer Band, who will play in the beer garden following the rodeo: