Great Northern Fair loaded with fun sports once again

There's a lot of reasons why people love fairs. And there's a myriad of reasons why so many locals love the Great Northern Fair. Of course, sports is one of them.

So, as the 2017 Great Northern Fair kicks off Wednesday, people from Havre, and all over the Hi-Line will eventually pile into the arena for plenty of entertaining fair sports.

The action starts with three straight nights of rodeo. As usual, the annual Havre Junior Rodeo gets things started, as it will take place Wednesday night, starting at 5 p.m. The Havre Junior Rodeo is always well-attended, with youth cowboys and cowgirls ranging from the ages of 5 all the way up to 18. Mutton Busting is one of the main attractions of the junior rodeo, but the rodeo will feature all of the different events that make the sport so great. The Havre Junior Rodeo is also a big draw for the athletes. Not only are local contestants entered, but there are always youths participating from the likes of Great Falls, and beyond.

Thursday night in the arena, the action will shift to the adults. The 2017 Great Northern Open Rodeo will start at 7 p.m. inside the arena and will feature a slew of contestants from all around Montana. There will also be a heavy local contingent, including cowboys and cowgirls from Havre, Harlem, Hays, Rocky Boy, Box Elder, Big Sandy, Chinook, the Rudyard area, and even further.

The Great Northern Rodeo will also be a part of a change to the fair sports schedule this year. Normally, the rodeo has two performances, but it will be a one-night affair this year. Taking its place Friday night will be the inaugural Cody Four Colors Memorial Bull Riding Event, which will kick off at 7 p.m. The event will be staged much like a Professional Bullriders Association tour stop, and it should provide tons of excitement for bull-riding fans, and fans of rodeo in general.

Speaking of pro events, Saturday night in the arena will start two nights of exciting sports for car and truck enthusiasts. The Pro Truck Pull Series returns to the Great Northern Fair, with a performance Saturday evening.

Of course, the fair will then end with one of the most popular summer events on the Hi-Line - the Annual Jaycees Demolition Derby. This year, the derby returns to Sunday night, where the smashing and crashing will start at 5 p.m. inside the arena.