Countless Illinois high school students under the age of 20 will call the Illinois State Fairgrounds home this weekend as they compete in the Illinois High School Rodeo Association State Finals. Springfield residents can expect to see an influx of cowboys, cowgirls and their parents starting Wednesday.
The Illinois State Fairgrounds is honored to host the 2016 Illinois High School Rodeo Association State Finals said Agriculture Director Raymond Poe. This is a premiere event that showcases the hard work and determination of young men and women who have a passion for agriculture. This weekends competitors will compete for one of four spots in each category to secure their place at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Gillette, Wyoming this July.
The action kicks off Wednesday with the Rodeo Queen contest followed by a concert later that night by the Lick Creek Band. Thursday night is Illinois High School Rodeo Night at the Illinois Products Farmers Market. Other IHSRA events include everything from rodeo performances to celebrity goat-tying competitions.
The 2016 Illinois High School Rodeo Finals run June 8th-11th. The schedule is as follows:
WEDNESDAY, June 8th
- 8:30 am: Rodeo Queen Competition Begins
- 6 pm: Contestant Meet & Greet
- 7-9pm: Lick Creek Band ($10.00 admission donation to scholarship fund)
THURSDAY, June 9th
- 4-7 PM Illinois High School Rodeo Night at the Illinois Products Farmers Market
- 7:00 PM Rodeo Performance #1-Theme: “Throwback Thursday and Alumni Night”
FRIDAY, JUNE 10th
- 7pm: Rodeo Performance #2 -Theme: “Support our Troops” (Free admission with military ID)
SATURDAY, JUNE 11th
- 12pm: Rodeo Performance #3- Theme: Team Shirts/ Family Day at the Rodeo
- 6pm: New Queen crowned
- 7pm: Rodeo Performance #4 C Theme: Tough Enough to wear Pink!
Tickets for the Illinois High School Rodeo Association State Finals can be purchased in advance at Horse Creek Outfitters in Springfield or at the gate at the State Fairgrounds one hour prior to each performance. Tickets are $8.00 for a single performance, or $25 for an all-performance wristband. Children 10 and under are free.
For more information about the IHSRA State Finals schedule, please visit http://www.ilhsra.org/.