Make Plans To Meet In Watford City For Wild West Weekend!

The McKenzie County Cowboy Association is hosting the 2024 North Dakota Rodeo Association Finals on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28 indoors at the McKenzie County Ag Expo, Watford City. With three rounds of rodeo, a Western art Show and Cowboy Culture Gathering, Kids Cowboy Bootcamp, mechanical bull riding, live entertainment all weekend and two nights of rodeo dancing, there will be fun for the entire family to enjoy!

The Western Art and Vendor show kicks off the weekend on Friday, Sept. 27 from 5-9 p.m. in the Ag Expo Exhibit Hall. Enjoy music by Jessie Veeder starting at 5 p.m. and shop over 20 western artists and vendors specializing in western themes and gear from across the region. Explore large- and small-scale paintings, glass, leather, woodworking, hats, ropes, boots, boutique clothing, jewelry and more.

Right across the hall the first round of the NDRA Rodeo kicks off at 7 p.m. featuring the state's best cowboys and cowgirls competing in bronc and bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, senior breakaway, calf roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Plus, cheer on the little cowboys and cowgirls in the Mutton Bustin' round and make sure you bring the kids for the boot race!

After the rodeo, stay to dance to "N2Effects DJ" playing your favorite songs and enjoy a cash bar and concessions to finish out the evening. Rocking K Heart Entertainment will have their mechanical bull set up and Saddle Up will have their roping machine going throughout the night!

The fun continues on Saturday at 9 a.m. with a Bearscat (That's Cowboy for Donut) breakfast and coffee benefitting the local Food Pantry. Contestants will be available at the breakfast from 10-11 a.m. for meet and greet and autograph signing, so make sure you bring the kids. Autograph sheets will be provided.

The Western Art and Vendor show continues in the exhibition hall on Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and then bring your kids for a chance to show their stuff on the mechanical bull. This year, they are hosting two Kids Mechanical Bull Contests! The first starts at 10:30 a.m. for ages 0-15. For $10 per child, they get a fun ride on the bull and everyone gets a prize! The second contest is a bit more serious as the contestants will be riding for a trophy and cash prizes sponsored by the Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce. Enter your child in the following age categories 6-8-year olds, 9-12-year olds and 13-15-year olds. Entry fee is $15 and can be done at http://www.wildwestweekend.com. Then stick around to enjoy the Cowboy Kid Zone where kids can learn to dress like a cowboy, saddle a horse, ride the bucking bull, rope and shop for cowboy essentials throughout the day.

Next up will be the MHA Powwow Dancers, hosted by the Long X Arts Foundation at 11:45 a.m. Experience the rich culture and tradition with these competitive drummers and dancers from a variety of styles. You may even be asked to join in! The Long X Arts Foundation will also be offering a free cowboy kid craft throughout the day.

Then gear up for the next round of rodeo action at 1 p.m.

After the rodeo, Wyoming-based acclaimed songwriter, storyteller, singer and musician, Kalyn Beasley will be taking the stage in the exhibit hall at 3:30 p.m. Get to know him and his music rich in meticulously crafted narratives, with clever and infectious melodies and hooks before he joins his band for the rodeo dance on Saturday night.

At 4:30 p.m., crafters will want to get in on the Glass Crazy Horse Ornament making class hosted by glass artist Kathy Monti. Kathy will walk you through the techniques needed to work with glass to form the vibrant horse patterns out of color combinations of your choosing. Register for this class at http://www.longxarts.com.

At 5:30 p.m., the Powwow dancers will take the stage once again before the final round of rodeo at 7 p.m. in the indoor arena where the champion cowboys and cowgirls will be determined

After the rodeo, join Kalyn Beasley and the Honkey Tonk Arcade back in the Exhibit Hall. Based out of Red Lodge, MT, the band tours throughout the Mountain West. The Honky Tonk Arcade has opened several shows for Chancey Williams and recently won the 2024 Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Showcase competition. One of the most exciting bands in the Mountain West, The Honky Tonk Arcade delivers an original blend of country, rock and blues with an energetic and engaging live show. Make plans to dance the night away and take a ride or two on the mechanical bull after the rodeo.

Tickets to the rodeo are $20 for adults and can be purchased at the door. Kids 11 and under are free. The Western Art Show and Cowboy Culture Gathering and Cowboy Kids Zone are free thanks to the Long X Arts Foundation and the McKenzie County Cowboy Association.

Interested rodeo sponsors should contact Eva Hepper at 701-898-9801 or [email protected]. Western Art Show and Cowboy Culture sponsors contact the Long X Arts Foundation at 701-770-8659 or email [email protected].

To find out more about the rodeo, performers, artists and vendors, community specials and schedule visit http://www.wildwestweekend.com.