IRON RIVER -- Mostly sunny skies greeted another nice crowd as the 44th annual U.P. Championship Rodeo came to a close in Iron River.

The afternoon started with the always exciting steer wrestling.  Most cowboys didn't waste anytime dropping the steers.

Calf roping and barrel racing also kept the fans' eyes peeled.

A very important job at the rodeo is one that doesn't get noticed:  protecting the cowboys from those huge bulls.

These heroes put themselves in between the bull and the rider, occasionally taking the hit, until the rider can get away safely.  "Every time I go out there, it's a blast," said veteran clown Branden Lindsey.  "It's just a pleasure to be out there and fight bulls and protect cowboys while selling tickets and doing a good show."

The U.P. Championship Rodeo in Iron River is the longest-running pro rodeo in the Upper Peninsula.