Mid Western Rodeo

Description

On July 23, 1959, the front-page headlines of the Manawa Advocate read "Over 7,000 People Watch Rodeo." The article continues: "The largest crowd in Manawa's history, over 7,000 flocked here to watch the first Lions World Championship Rodeo Saturday and Sunday. Nearly 500 people were turned away Sunday afternoon while another 4,000 jammed into the grounds to see the first genuine rodeo in Central Wisconsin history." The legend of the Manawa Rodeo began 49 years ago, when local business man Carl Dretzke was traveling in the western part of Wisconsin and saw a sign advertising a Bob Barnes Rodeo. Carl thought it might be a good fundraiser for the community, and brought the idea to the Manawa Lions Club. The Lions Club formed a rodeo committee and contacted Bob Barnes, a rodeo stock contractor, who in turn invited them to his ranch in Iowa to watch a rodeo. Casey Klemm, the local barber, and Carl made the trip to Iowa representing the Manawa Lions. They liked what they saw, and agreed that Manawa should host a Championship Rodeo. The whole community pulled together that first year. 20 acres of land on the south side of town was leased from Farmway Co. for the grounds area. Local businesses, like Jones Farm Store, Sturms, and Farmway Company provided the trucks used to haul rented portable wooden bleachers to and from Fond du Lac. Manawa Lions Club members, along with numerous local folk, provided the many hours of manpower that went into setting up and tearing down the bleachers and circus-type tents. Tickets were sold by Lions Club members, and publicity issues were handled by the rodeo secretary Lyle Spiegleberg, a position he held for over 30 years. The bucking stock was housed at Harold and Jean Schuelke ’s farm south of the grounds. On rodeo day, when the 100 head of stock needed to be moved the 5 or 6 blocks to grounds, they were herded right down State Hwy 22/110 by 3 cowboys. The R.C.A. (Rodeo Cowboys Association) Approved Rodeo was held July 18 & 19, and consisted of one show daily starting at 2 PM. Spectators paid admission fees of $2 for adults and $1 for children to see world-class bucking animals provided by stock contractor Bob Barnes of Cherokee, Iowa. 27 cowboys paid $20 each to compete for a purse of $2,000 in events like Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Brahma Bull Riding, Calf Roping, and Steer Wrestling. Combined with the contestant events in each 2 1/2 hour show were the specialty acts of Donita Barnes on her White Horses, a trick rope act by Larry Robeck, and an exhibition of Australian riding by Ken Perrett of Brisband, Australia. But the fellow who won the hearts of everyone, especially the youngsters, was the rodeo clown who had acts of his own and who had the job of drawing the animals from the fallen riders. Another part of the Manawa Rodeo legend was born that Saturday morning. At least its planned arrival was for 11 AM, until a strong rainstorm rumbled through town and delayed the first Rodeo Parade until noon.

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