When the calendar flips over to July, you know it?Äôs time for the Hamel Rodeo & Bull Riding Bonanza.
The Hamel Rodeo, July 6-9, is a tradition in the area, drawing families and friends together for the biggest professional rodeo in the state of Minnesota.
It?Äôs bulls and broncs, cowboys, cowgirls, and all the pageantry and tradition of the Western World. But it?Äôs so much more than that.
For an Elk River man, the rodeo is the highlight of the season. ?ÄúIt?Äôs the best part of the summer,?Äù said Dr. Kevin Voller, a veterinarian at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services. He estimates he has been to at least one night of rodeo for the past 20 years. ?ÄúIt?Äôs just a tremendous time. It?Äôs really well put together and well organized. Everybody has a grand time.?Äù
A veterinarian is on duty at the Hamel Rodeo for each rodeo performance, and Dr. Voller has done the bulk of the work there the past two decades. He loves it. ?ÄúI enjoy the atmosphere, the rodeo, and the people.?Äù
When fans attend the Hamel Rodeo, they?Äôre doing more than just being entertained. The rodeo is a fundraiser for four charities: The Hamel Volunteer Fire Department, the John Pohlker American Legion Post, the Heinzen-Ditter VFW, and the Hamel Lions Club. Since the rodeo began in 1981, more than $1.8 million has been given back to the community.
Tickets range in price from $10 to $18 and are available online at HamelRodeo.org, at the Farmers State Bank of Hamel, at Pleasant Hills Saddle Shops, and at the gate.
The rodeo is held at Corcoran Lions Park and begins at 7:30 p.m. July 6-9. A family day matinee is held at 1 p.m. on July 8. For more information, call (763) 478-6611, or visit HamelRodeo.org.