Washington Township welcomes 65th annual fire department rodeo
Once a year, the normally quiet Washington Township in Butler County comes alive for one of the most spectacular rodeo events in the state, the North Washington Rodeo — which will hold its 65th annual event Tuesday, Aug. 12, through Saturday, Aug. 16, at the North Washington Rodeo grounds, 2225 Oneida Valley Road in Washington Township.
Dave Hazlet, who has either attended or taken part in organizing the rodeo for nearly its entire existence, calls it “one of the biggest rodeos this side of the Mississippi.”
“I've been the chairman for 15 years. It’s been going on for 65 now, and I’ve only missed three nights since it started,” Hazlet said. “It’s pretty much stayed the same. It’s been the same events.”
According to Hazlet, roughly 200 horsemen from multiple countries are expected to compete in the five-day event in multiple rodeo disciplines, including bull riding, bareback riding, tie-down roping and team roping.
In addition to being one of the major events of the year in the northern part of the county, the rodeo serves as the main fundraiser event for the North Washington Volunteer Fire Department, raising between $30,000 and $130,000 in any given year.
The rodeo will be preceded by a kickoff party on Monday, Aug. 11, featuring a concert from country musician Gary Burk III. The concert is part of a 10-stop “Let Freedom Ring” tour to benefit first responders in honor of Corey Comperatore, who was killed last year in the shooting during a rally for then-candidate President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
Unlike the rest of the rodeo, the kickoff party is free to attend, although concessions will be sold.
Tickets for the rodeo — which is held rain or shine — are available online at ticketsauce.com, and can be purchased there until midnight Sunday, Aug. 10. Admission $15 for adults and $9 for children ages 4 to 12, with fees not included. Younger children are admitted free.
For those purchasing tickets at the door in person, tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for children.
Gates open at 6 p.m. The rodeo starts at 8 p.m.
