North Washington Rodeo Queen Paige Kennedy, 19, of Meridian, leads her horse past the North Washington Fire Department during Monday's rodeo kickoff parade. The rodeo competition opens Tuesday and runs through Saturday.

NORTH WASHINGTON — Hog tying and cattle wrangling is back in northern Butler County this week with the return of the North Washington Rodeo, following its one-year COVID-19 hiatus.

“We're anxious to get back in action,” said rodeo committee chairman Dave Hazlet. “It's always been a big community event.”

Proceeds benefit the North Washington Fire Department.

Organizers kicked off the annual celebration with the rodeo's opening day parade Monday evening. Competition begins Tuesday night and runs through Saturday.

Area residents and visitors lined the parade route, which passed through North Washington and into the rodeo grounds, to celebrate the rodeo's return.For many it was yet another return to some sense of normalcy.“It's the best,” said longtime North Washington resident Karen Olexsak. “Not having it a year makes us appreciate it even more.”She held court along the route, hosting a tailgate at her home with her cousins — one visiting from Massachusetts — family and friends.For John and Susan Relihan of Hooker, Monday's parade was a chance to cheer on their daughter Jaycee, a trumpet player in the Moniteau Marching Band.“It's just refreshing to see friends and neighbors again,” John said. “This is pretty much the biggest thing in northern Butler County.”Hazlet went so far to say that he believes the rodeo itself, which starts Tuesday, is one of the biggest rodeos east of the Mississippi.Counting last year's canceled event, this year will be the 62nd year of the competition, which annually attracts world champion caliber competitors.According to Hazlet, who is also president of the fire department, the funds raised typically account for about 70% of the department's annual budget. He described last year's cancellation as a significant loss of funding and disappointment for the community.“It was a pretty boring summer without it,” Hazlet said.

WHAT: North Washington RodeoWhen: Aug. 17 to 21Where: 2225 Oneida Valley Road, PetroliaAdmission: Adults $16 at gate/$14 in advance; children 4 to 12 inclusive $7 at gate and $6 in advance. Children 3 and under are free. Parking is free.Phone: 724-894-2050Website: www.northwashingtonvfd.com/rodeo

Lyndal McFadden, 7, and Lawson McFadden, 5, wave to parade participants at the North Washington Rodeo Parade Monday. The rodeo competition opens Tuesday and runs through Saturday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle