"Tough Enough To Wear Pink" Celebrates 17th Year At The Richland County Fair & Rodeo

Sidney, MT – "The Tough Enough To Wear Pink" (TETWP) campaign was founded in 2004 by Terry Wheatley, a cancer survivor and the wife and mother to PRCA cowboys Jim and Wade Wheatley, and Karl Stressman, the former commissioner of the PRCA and former director of special events for Wrangler. The idea was to challenge the tough rodeo contestants to wear pink at one of the NFR performances in support of families facing breast cancer. The event was an instant hit with cowboys and fans wearing pink. The 2024 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December marks the 20th anniversary of the campaign. "Tough Enough To Wear Pink" has raised over $41 million! All funds raised have stayed in the local communities," said Lacey Wheatley, TETWP Campaign Manager.

In 2007, the Richland County Fair & Rodeo brought the TETWP campaign to its rodeo. That first year, the fair and Pearl Development raised just over $1,400, which was donated to the Montana Breast & Cervical Cancer Awareness Program. The next few years saw Blue Rock Beverage Co., Mitchell's Oilfield Service, and the Lucky Buckle become sponsors. In 2014, Williston State joined the other three, with the money donated to the Cancer Coalition. In recent years, Prairie Electric, Duane & Sherry Mitchell, and Sidney Health Center's Cancer Center joined forces with Blue Rock Beverage Co., and the money went to the Cancer Coalition and the Foundation for Community Care. In 2021, a record $6,428 was collected, with an estimated $83,000 collected since 2007.

"Tough Enough To Wear Pink" returns to the fair Friday night for its 17th year at the Richland County Rodeo. This year's TETWP sponsors, Blue Rock Beverage Co., Duane & Sherry Mitchell, Prairie Electric, and Sidney Health Center's Cancer Center, encourage fans and contestants to wear pink and be counted. Each sponsor donates $1 per person who wears pink to the Friday night rodeo. It would be special if the sellout crowd attending the Richland County Rodeo wore pink, achieving a new donation record to top off the upcoming 20th anniversary of TETWP! So, the question is, are YOU "Tough Enough To Wear Pink" in support of breast cancer?

Tickets purchased the week of the fair cost $17 for adults, $5 for children aged 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.