Submitted by Patti Rambo
Another year, another successful PRCA rodeo on the record. The Kootenai River Stampede PRCA Rodeo was enjoyed by enthusiastic and overflowing crowds in the stands both Friday and Saturday night this year – despite the record heat and severe smoke from area wildfires.
Cowboys, cowgirls and the JS Rodeo Company livestock put on exceptional performance in the J. Neils
arena as July came to a close. The animals bucked well after keeping cool during the day by being misted
with water. Considered top-notch athletes themselves, the livestock are respected highly inside the rodeo arena.
To accomplish an event of this magnitude requires a lot of effort from multiple sources of support.
The first thank you goes out to our PRCA Rodeo sponsors who are so supportive of community this and
so many community events each year.
Besides creating an entertaining atmosphere for families to enjoy, the intent of the Kootenai River Stampede has always been to provide an economic boost for the local economy.
Setting the tone for the entire event was the “welcoming committee” of Bill and Sandy Clark along with their front gate crew from Camp Patriot!
A thank you also goes to this year’s many vendors, under the supervision of Kaya Hardgrove. Their
presence added greatly to the festive atmosphere as people filled the grounds. Essential volunteers from Ace Hardware, Lincoln County Credit Union and Northwest Motorsports coordinated by Tim and Lindsey Beaty were also present and played an integral part in ensuring a good time for all.
Other outstanding volunteers included students from the Libby High School Close-Up Program who helped with parking to fund their next trip to Washing, D.C., Tom Gilmore who supplied arena maintenance equipment from Northwest Motor Sports, Jeff Nesbitt’s vital water truck to prep and maintain the arena for days prior to as well as during the weekend, Dr. Joel Riddel who has donated his chiropractic hands to
contestants behind the chutes for the last three years, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Emergency Room
Specialist, Dr. Mark Serra and Dr. Lance L. Ercanbrack who provided medical support for any possible
human injuries, and Dr. Chad Burt of Bonners Ferry, Id., who was available to serve the needs of any of four-legged athletes. A more complete KRS Thank You list will soon be released to thank all these and more who helped the 2021 PRCA Kootenai River Stampede come together.
There was concern when the much-anticipated return of the Alberta Miniature Chuckwagon Racers
failed to materialize as advertised. Unfortunately, the Canadian border is still closed due to Covid. But filling the void with his charisma, banter and interaction with the crowd was veteran rodeo clown and barrelman Clint “Wolfy” Selvester who stepped up and kept the energy level high.
Thank You to our Lincoln County businesses, individuals supporters and rodeo fans who came together in support of this year’s event! The Kootenai River Stampede PRCA Rodeo Committee is already working
towards another excitement-filled event for our community during the last full weekend of July 2022.
See you there??
