The state’s oldest professional rodeo returns to Sandy Downs, Wednesday through Saturday. This year marks the 115th year for the War Bonnet Roundup.
Since 2011, Kassi Jones has been involved with the historic rodeo.
“I was the 100th Anniversary rodeo queen for them at the time and Bob Skinner was actually the chairman at the time,” Jones said. “In order to give back, I made sure to make a point to help Bob in any aspect that I could.”
Now, Jones leads a team, which includes the board members, committees and volunteers. She oversees the flow of the rodeo. Much like the wizard behind a curtain, she runs the show.
Behind the scenes
The specialty events change every year and so do the clowns/barrel men.
“We want to make sure we give lots of opportunity, lots of variety, that way it’s not just the same show every single year,” Jones said.
This year, each night, rodeo goers will be treated to a 14-minute drone show courtesy of Zions Bank. And of course, one cannot overlook the fireworks show at the end of the rodeo, on the final night.
Kyle “Hashtag” Lamon is coming to perform as the rodeo clown, featuring some acts of his own. The voice of Idaho’s oldest rodeo, Kade Rogge, will return to announce the events alongside Marty Campbell.
“They are going to keep the crowd engaged. They are going to keep them informed. They are going to make sure they know everything that’s happening,” Jones said.
Zach Ekstrom is the third announcer for the rodeo. He makes sure the pre-rodeo runs smoothly, and the winner’s circle is covered. Ekstrom is a previous calf roper with experience in tie-down with Pro Rodeo.
“The House Rocker,” Drew Taylor is the music director for the event.
“He’s the one that’s famous for making off-the-cuff, 'The Tractor Song,' last year that pretty well he used across the nation in his travelling,” Jones said.
The rodeo must provide the animals for each event. The War Bonnet Roundup is contracted through Korkow Rodeo out of South Dakota. They are the main stock contractor for the rodeo.
For around 10 years, the faces behind the scenes that make the event possible have stayed the same.
“We’ve been pretty consistent with the same moving bodies outside of just our barrel man/clown and specialty acts that change each year,” Jones said.
Rodeo attendees can find new events and activities at this year’s War Bonnet Roundup.
The History
The name comes from Chief War Bonnet from the Shoshone Bannock tribes. Before Idaho Falls was established, the tribes rode across the land where they would round up wild horses along the range. Later, the Reno family, what used to be Reno Park — now Tautphaus Park —started the rodeo and named it in their honor.
“That’s where we get the significance of the Shoshone Bannock people that ties into the War Bonnet Roundup," Jones said.
The rodeo is held every year, aside from unforeseen circumstances such as world wars and most recently the Covid-19 pandemic.
Grandstand and Coors Tent seats must be purchased online. General admission tickets are available at local businesses such as Rockin’ Cross Country Store, Vickers Western Store and the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation. Discounted general admission tickets can be picked up at Teton Toyota for a $5 discount. There is also a military discount that can be purchased at the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation office.
You can get tickets online at www.warbonnetroundup.org.