It's rodeo time

Like many other sports seasons around these parts, the summer rodeo season is short. But, it’s also a lot of fun and always exciting.

And tonight in Chinook, the rodeo season on the Hi-Line kicks into high gear.

The action starts with tonight’s Chinook Kid’s Rodeo at the Blaine County Fair, but, things will really heat up Friday and Saturday with the annual Bear Paw Roundup.

The PRCA rodeo in Chinook is one of the biggest Montana PRCA rodeos on the summer circuit. The rodeo is always known for its big payouts and top competition, and as always, will feature bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping.

Of course, the rodeo will also feature some of the top PRCA cowboys and cowgirls on the Montana circuit, including plenty of locals. One of those locals is Harlem’s T’Jay Allen, who has made a steady climb up the PRCA ranks, and currently sits fifth in the Montana PRCA bull riding standings.

The Bear Paw Roundup will also have plenty of fun events as well, including Mutton Bustin both nights, Man on a Can Friday night and Monkey on a Rope on Saturday. The event is sponsored by Moxley Construction and stock is provided by Brookman Rodeo.

Of course, three nights of rodeo in Chinook is only the beginning for the Hi-Line. There’s also the Havre Junior Rodeo, the Great Northern Rodeo and the Four Colors Memorial Bull Riding during the upcoming Great Northern Fair later this month, as well as rodeo action at the Rocky Boy Powwow later this summer.

The 2019 Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo will run Friday and Saturday with performances at 7 p.m. in the arena at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Chinook.