LYMAN — It’s time to “Cowboy Up” as the 2023 Pioneer Days Rodeos kick off next Tuesday, July 18, with the jackpot barrel racing and team roping at the Lyman arena at 6 p.m.

And as all cowboys know, the cowgirls also prove to be tough on the horse and in the arena.

As for the kids there are events like chicken chasing, stick horse riding and more. All of the children who participate in these events get a piece of candy, so it is over 200 pieces of candy, which is donated by Benedicts.

This year’s rodeo theme, “Legends of Ranching,” The Grand Marshal for this year’s Pioneer rodeos, long time rancher Gary Rollins, is a man who can trace his livelihood from the use of horse and wagons to modern day equipment.

In addition to the activity in the arena, the rodeo committee is providing entertainment to highlight the Pioneer Days celebration, according to Joe Hickey, rodeo chair.

A highlight of the Rodeo Days program is a free concert by American singer and songwriter Brenn Hill next Thursday, July 20, at 8 p.m. at the Lyman rodeo grounds. The concert will be held east of the stands, and participants are urged to bring their own chairs or blankets as they loll on the grassy area. The concert is sponsored by Union Wireless.

Hill is an American Western music singer-songwriter specializing in country and cowboy music.

Action in the rodeo arena features competition for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. The second rodeo will be Wednesday night’s action, which will feature the Junior Rodeo, open to four age groups: peewee, youth, juniors and seniors. Events will include things like dummy roping, barrels, poles, steer riding, team roping heading and heeling, breakaway roping and more.

The qualifying ranch rodeo will be held next Friday night at 6 p.m. Ranch rodeos focus on events cowboys went head-to-head against each other on ranches. A multitude of events will be included in the rodeo such as team doctoring, a triatholon (breakaway roping, turn a barrel and goat tying), teach sorting and branding, hide race.

Competitors will be working to snag one of the top six places in each event as this will give them a slot in Saturday night’s final rodeo, which will be held at 6 p.m. Two events added to this rodeo will include the ladies goat milking and the stock saddle bronc riding.

The Rodeo Corporation, which spearheads the Pioneer Days Rodeo, has operated the rodeo for over 20 years. Hickey said the rodeo committee always appreciates the behind-the-scenes help and credited these people, over 100, who help with the rodeo being organized and put on year-after-year.