Wapella Dodge City Days rodeo this Saturday
August 18, 2025, 9:12 am
Nicole Taylor
Saturday, August 23rd will mark the 42nd annual Dodge City Days Rodeo happening at the Wapella Arena. The roughstock event features bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding with novice events in each category. This year, the committee is also introducing a new event to the rodeo, wild pony racing for ages 9-13.
The rodeo will start at 7 pm, with a dance featuring DJ Dumo to follow the rodeo.
"DJ Dumo is coming back this year and he is going to be on the curling rink side,” said Amie Holloway with the Dodge City Days committee, “We had a few hundred people come through the door last year, we are hoping to get at least the same, if not more people than last year."
There will be a concession open where people can purchase food, and a bar serving beverages during the event. The event is cash only, there will be no ATM available.
Adult tickets for the rodeo and cabaret are $15, Student tickets are on sale for $5, and cabaret tickets are $10 (19 and over). Holloway says the committee is still looking for volunteers to help work the entry desk and bar shifts.
"It takes a lot of committee members and a lot of volunteers when the time comes for rodeo. Volunteers to do bar shifts, kitchen shifts, and ticket sale shifts,’ said Amie.
“Dodge City Days Rodeo is Wapella’s most significant annual fundraiser and is meant to raise funds for the local community and area. "We give back to the community with our funds.” said Holloway, "For years and years, Dodge City Rodeo put Wapella School students through swimming lessons. We donate to various functions and events that go on in the community and surrounding communities.”
Holloway says this year, they are focused on raising money specifically for the new outdoor arena in Wapella. “We are working on building an outdoor arena for next year. We are hoping that in the near future, we can get other events to use that space as well, like 4-H and barrel racing jackpots, etc.
“The rodeo was the only fundraiser but we may do a few different fundraisers in the future just because we are trying to build the outdoor arena so we need to do a couple fundraisers to get that going," said Holloway.
“The goal for this year’s rodeo is for everybody to have fun and support the event, and hopefully it just gets bigger and bigger."
If anyone is interested in volunteering at Dodge City Days Rodeo, or would like to make a donation, please contact Amie Holloway at (306)-434-6201 or Harley Holloway at (306)-434-5010, or reach out to any Dodge City Days Rodeo committee member.
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