AS IS SEE IT
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
McKenzie County bills itself as the “home of champions,” and this weekend another set of rodeo champions will be crowned as the North Dakota Rodeo Association’s Championship Finals rides into Watford City.
So if you are looking for some of the best rodeo action that you’ll ever see in western North Dakota, then you won’t want to miss out on the hard riding, and tough bucking action during the two nights of the NDRA Finals at the McKenzie County Multi-Purpose Building.
All summer long, North Dakota cowboys and cowgirls have competed against each other at rodeos around the state hoping that they would earn a chance to make it to the Finals. At the NDRA Finals, just like at the grand-daddy of rodeos, the National Rodeo Association (NRA) Finals, contestants don’t just get to show up and compete. They have to earn enough points by placing at rodeos across the state to be among the top competitors in each of the events to make the NDRA Finals.
So this weekend, you know that you are going to see not only the top rodeo contestants in North Dakota, but you are also going to see the top rough stock doing their best to unload the bucking bronc and bull riders.
While the NDRA Finals is no doubt the headlining rodeo action in Watford City this Friday and Saturday, there is going to be a lot more rodeo action going on in town. Also on tap all day Saturday will be a high school rodeo that brings in several hundred North Dakota high school cowboys and cowgirls who are honing their rodeo skills in hopes of one day being able to compete at the NDRA Finals or maybe even the NRA Finals. And of course, back by popular demand, is the Championship Team Roping competition, which will be held in the outdoor arena on Saturday morning.
So this weekend, take in the fun and excitement of all of the rodeo action in Watford City.
IT WAS ANOTHER GREAT OLD
SETTLERS’ DAY IN ALEXANDER!
A big “tip of the hat” goes out this week to all of the community volunteers in Alexander who helped make the 67th annual Old Settlers’ Day a huge success!
Over the years, volunteers from around the Alexander area have worked hard to make sure that this event continues. The folk of Alexander do everything from gathering wood that will burn down to the coals for the barbecue, to lining up parade entries and reserving the children’s games to finding entertainment and serving the food.
And year after year, the good folks of Alexander pull it off without a hitch. And that speaks volumes about the importance that Old Settlers’ Day holds to the community of Alexander and to the people who return each and every year to share in the community’s hospitality.
For 67 years, the secret of Old Settlers’ Day has been that it delivers up good times, good food and good fellowship.
Congratulations to everyone who has had a part in keeping this wonderful tradition alive.