Record number of contestants to compete in Linn County rodeo

Shawn VanVlack holds on during the bareback bronc event at past Linn County rodeo. Fair organizers say this year a record number of competitors will attend. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

By John Teagarden, Linn County Fair Board

MOUND CITY – The 2025 Linn County Fair is off to a great start. At mid-week the 4-H Building and Floral Hall exhibits are in place, and the new livestock barn is full.

On opening weekend, Aug. 2-3, the Demolition Derby and the Outlaw Tractor Pull attracted capacity and near-capacity crowds respectively.

Big news for the second weekend is the rodeo lineup. “We have a record number of rodeo contestants – 227 – entered from 26 states (also a record) for the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) Rodeo on Friday and Saturday, Aug 8-9 at 8 p.m., reported rodeo chairman Charley  Johnson.

“A few of the distant states represented include Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Montana, Michigan and Hawaii," he said. "Normally the rodeo attracts entries from 14 to 18 states.”

The other big news is the return of The One Armed Bandit, 15-time PRCA Act of the Year.

The Bandit, John Payne, will bring his long-horned steers – a new twist to his act – to the  Linn County Fair Rodeo on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 8-9.

The rodeo starts at 8 p.m. both evenings.