The rodeo has an enormous economic impact on Iron Co. every year
IRON RIVER -- It's been a tradition for more than four decades, and once again, Iron River is preparing for the U.P. Championship Rodeo.
While the event is a favorite of the community, the rodeo's popularity among tourists is making it a big success. The Iron County Chamber of Commerce estimates the economic impact of the rodeo is in the millions of dollars.
"It's the biggest event of the year in Iron County. It draws the most people, it has the most watched events because it is the whole weekend,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Leonoff. “Most of the motels are filled in the Iron River area and most of the campgrounds are filled."
Success of the rodeo relies on volunteers like the West Iron County football team. But organizers insist everyone helps out, and that makes the difference.
"That is the most important thing is the community,” said U.P. Rodeo Board Member Sarah Lambert. “That's the one thing you have to have to put on an event like this, and this community has come together wonderfully to help us."
Over the last 42 years, the rodeo has drawn people from across the country, and organizers expect that trend to continue this year.
"It's unbelievable, we've got people coming from, vendors coming from Madison,” Lambert said, “not to mention the cowboys that come from Texas, Kentucky...it's the greatest thing all summer long in Iron River."
More than 5,000 people came out for last year's rodeo, and organizers expect more of the same this year. The festivities started Friday night with a country music concert followed by the cowboys taking front and center stage Saturday and Sunday.
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