STURGIS - The Sturgis sports grounds will be alive with action when eager fans take to the grounds for the annual Sports and Rodeo weekend to be held on June 25 and 26.
“We are hoping the weekend will be well attended and are happy to see the weekend back to our original dates in June.,” said a committee member.
The weekend will kick off with a pancake breakfast at the Sturgis READ Club on Saturday.
A rib supper “2021 Champion of the Grill” and a firework display will conclude events on Saturday.
The Etomaimie Riders Club will host gymkhana events on both days with several participants from across the local area.
A rodeo event with saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and mutton busting will be held both days. The rodeo events will be made possible through Francis Bourque of Pelly, who provided all the livestock. It will showcase the many talents and skills of its cowboys entered in the program. The barrel racers will be competing for prize money and will feature local riders. The rodeo events will conclude with a fun sheep riding event for all local children.
Entertainment for children will be held over the weekend.
A trade show and mini market, and a wood carving demonstration are also scheduled for the weekend. The Ivar Bass co-ed slo-pitch ball tournament will also be held as well as musical entertainment in the beer gardens.
A pancake breakfast at the Sturgis sports grounds will kick off events on Sunday followed by a cowboy church service.
A car show/shine on the sportsgrounds will feature unique cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors.
The Sturgis Sports and Rodeo had a very humble beginning, stated information taken from the Sturgis history book. The first event took place on July 4, 1938. It was recorded that prize money was given for the horse racing and baseball tournament. It stated that the first recorded event was actually cancelled due to rain and rescheduled for July 12. There were approximately 800 people who attended the event that featured horse racing, novelty potato races, chariot races, baseball, a girls’ softball tournament, bicycle races, and many children’s events. The next year’s event recorded the largest attendance on file.
