Time to ride and rope in Chinook

The Blaine County Fair is the center of attention in Chinook this week and one of the main events is the Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo, starting tonight.

The Bear Paw Roundup, which has been a staple of the local rodeo circuit for years is a two-day event that starts tonight at 7 inside the arena at the Blaine County Fairgrounds. There is slack scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. and the rodeo comes back for the second and final night Friday with the start time also set for 7 p.m. The local rodeo scene got its start last night with the Blaine County Kids Rodeo.

The Bear Paw Roundup has always attracted some of the top cowboys and cowgirls on the Montana PRCA Circuit and with no other events taking place on the circuit until Sunday to rival it, it should again.

In terms of the of the Montana circuit, a number of local cowboys and cowgirls have found themselves near the top of the standings, including George Marcenko, who is sixth currently in tie-down roping. Preston Watson of Box Elder ranks 21st in the same event.

Emily Kallenberger is also sixth in barrel racing, while Diane McLean of Havre is 16th. Tenley Keller of Big Sandy is also ranked 23rd in barrel racing and Jill Lane of Fort Benton sits in 26th. In team roping John Bell of Harlem is currently 11th and Jimmy Cole of Harlem is 16th.

With its strong purses, the Bear Paw Roundup tends to draw some of the top competitors throughout the state as well as some of the local talent from places like Chinook, Havre, Rocky Boy, Harlem and Chester.

Some of the top events at the Bear Paw Roundup will be the bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding, as well as the other stand-bys barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling. On the lighter side of things, the Bear Paw Roundup will also include Monkey on a Rope both tonight and Friday.

The Bear Paw Roundup has a strong reputation for drawing some of the top cowboys and cowgirls on the PRCA circuit, it also has brought in some top talent for the annoucing and rodeo clown. Dennis Halstead, who was the 2016 Montana PRCA Rodeo Clown of the Year, will handle those duties, while Barney Sheridan will do the announcing. The stock is being provided by Brookman Rodeo.

The Bear Paw Roundup Rodeo takes place tonight and Friday at 7 in Chinook. The local rodeo scene will then turn to the Great Northern Open Rodeo next week in Havre.