Top PRCA official to present 75-year plaque at Linn County Rodeo on Saturday

An official with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association will help mark the Linn County Rodeo's 75 anniversary on Saturday night. (Journal file photo)

By John Teagarden

Journal contributor

Steve Knowles, director of rodeo administration for the Colorado Springs-based Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PCRA), will be attending the Linn County Fair & Rodeo on Saturday, August 8 to present a 75th anniversary plaque fair officials.

“We were pleasantly surprised when we received the notice that a high-ranking PRCA official would be attending this year’s rodeo”, said rodeo co-chairman Charley Johnson, Prescott.

“The communities and rodeo committees that host our rodeos, along with our cowboy members, are the backbone of the PRCA. We make a real effort to be present on their special anniversary occasions”, said Knowles.

The Linn County Fair Board joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association (forerunner of the PCRA) in early 1952 and hosted their first RCA-approved rodeo that August. The Linn County Rodeo began in1947 and was amateur prior to 1952.

The rodeo was produced by Roberts Rodeo Co., owned by the father and son team of E. C. and Ken Roberts, Strong City. Kansas. Ken Roberts was a three-time world champion bull rider in 1943, 1944, and 1945.

The Linn County Fair Rodeo is one of the eight oldest rodeos in Kansas. That list includes the PRCA rodeos at Strong City, Abilene, Coffeyville, Pretty Prairie, Hill City and Phillipsburg, plus the annual July 4th amateur rodeo at Moline.

Rodeo fans still have the opportunity to save money on advanced tickets that are on sale at eight Linn County businesses plus Family Center in Paola.

Prices are adult tickets, advanced $15 or at gate $18; for 6- to 12-year-olds, $5; and free for ages 5 and under.

Performances begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug 7-8.