-Messenger archive photo by Hans Madsen
Members of the Dayton Rodeo Serpentine Riders show off their skills at the annual Dayton Championship Rodeo on September 1, 2023.
DAYTON – The 87th annual Dayton Rodeo returns Aug. 30-Sept. 2. For more than eight decades, the Dayton Rodeo has drawn large crowds from across Iowa to watch bull riding, barrel racing and mutton busting with youth, and community members participate in the bronco races.
Fan favorite Cowboy Kenny will return to the arena along with ten-time PRCA Clown of the Year Justin Rumford.
Grand Marshal
Bruce Lambert, a long-time supporter of the Dayton Rodeo, has been named the 2024 Grand Marshal. Lambert began parking cars at the rodeo at the age of 12 along with his father and twin brother.
In 1988, Lambert was appointed to the Dayton Rodeo Celebration Committee, where he served for the next 21 years, helping set up the parade and carnival, parking the cars, helping the vendors set up, dusting the streets, helping sell tickets, and even working at the community club concession stand.
Dayton Rodeo Senior Queen
Kalie Buenting, a graduate of Southeast Valley High School and daughter of Amanda Buenting and the late Jamie Buenting, was named Dayton Rodeo Senior Queen. Buenting has been involved in rodeo in addition to riding since she was 10 years old, when she fell in love with barrel racing. Buenting credited her ability to pursue her dream in the arena to her horse Broker, a 25-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Buenting is studying animal science at Iowa Central Community College and plans to transfer to Iowa State University in Ames to become an equine veterinarian.
Dayton Rodeo Junior Queen
Kyla Egli, a junior at Manson Northwest Webster High School, was named Dayton Rodeo Junior Queen. Egli has owned horses her entire life and enjoys participating in rodeos, volleyball, wrestling, track and field, 4-H, FFA, student council, National Honor Society and the Talented and Gifted program. Egli credits her horse Cisco, a five-year-old palomino gelding, for helping her “faithful horse” in the arena.
Flag bearer
The 2024 Dayton Wrangler American Flag bearer will be 16-year-old Ashlyn Lovig of Boone. Lovig is currently a junior at Boone High School and participates in the Boone A&M FFA Chapter. For the past two years, she has been on the Dayton Wranglers Pro Rough Riders team.
The 2024 Iowa Flag Bearer is Shaden Hefley. Hefley is a 14-year-old freshman at Southeast Valley High School. Hefley participates in FFA, 4-H, volleyball, student council and rodeo.
Dayton Wrangler Rough Riders Pro Drill Team
The 2024 Dayton Wrangler Rough Riders Pro Drill Team consists of Karregan Davis, Alexis Essing, Shelby Sorenson, Caitlyn Klingson, Harley Eckert, Rylie Holder, Morgan Lenning, Cassidy Fournier, Kailey Konvalinka and Katara Jondle. The team is an equestrian drill team comprised of local riders and their horses. The team showcases their riding skills, intricate formations and synchronized movements in the rodeo arena.
Cowboy Kenny
Cowboy Kenny returns to the Dayton Rodeo as a special act in 2024. Kenny Bartram, also known as “Cowboy Kenny” will bring his freestyle high-flying stunts to the arena. Bartram began his career as a professional motocross racer, competing in the AMA Motocross Championship and the X Games. He has won several awards, including two gold medals at the X Games and a freestyle world championship. Bartram is also known for his work as a stunt performer and coordinator, working on projects such as “A Duke rarely comes alone” “Transformers”, And “The Walking Dead.”
Rodeo Clown
Justin Rumford, the 10-time PRCA Clown of the Year, will be entertaining fans on the hill at the Dayton Rodeo this year. Rumford’s comedy and storytelling skills come from his many years in rodeo, from bullfighting to bronco riding to pickup man riding to bulldogging.
Event calendar
FRIDAY – AUGUST 30, 2024
Military Night/RED NIGHT
5:00 p.m. – Gates of the rodeo arena open
7pm – PRCA Championship Rodeo
Show military ID to receive a $2 discount.
After the rodeo – fireworks
Rodeo Dance – @ Shed ’37 –
The official “after-party” of the Dayton Rodeo
SATURDAY – AUGUST 31, 2024
10am – SLACK – Free entry
5:00 p.m. – Gates of the rodeo arena open
7pm – PRCA Championship Rodeo
Award for community service at 6:40 p.m.
After the Rodeo – FIREWORKS
Rodeo Dance – @ Shed ’37 – The official after-party of the Dayton Rodeo
SUNDAY – 1 SEPTEMBER 2024
“Cowboy for Cancer” – PINK NIGHT
5:00 p.m. – Gates of the rodeo arena open
7pm – PRCA Championship Rodeo | COWBOY UP FOR CANCER Night/PINK NIGHT – Flood the hill with PINK to show your support for breast cancer awareness and prevention
After the rodeo – fireworks
Rodeo Dance – @ Shed ’37 – The official after-party
of the Dayton Rodeo
MONDAY – 2 SEPTEMBER 2024 – CHILDREN’S DAY
Children under 11 years FREE when accompanied by a paying adult
10am – Annual Dayton Labor Day Parade
The parade route begins in Oak Park, passes through downtown Dayton and ends at the Grandview Health Care Center.
11:30 am – Gates of the Rodeo Arena open
1:30 p.m. – PRCA Championship Rodeo
The special presentation begins at 1:10 p.m.
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