What the Tri-State Rodeo Is
The Tri-State Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo held every year in Fort Madison, Iowa, around Labor Day. In 1948, C.E. (Eddie) Richards brought the rodeo to the Tri-State area, and Fort Madison has hosted the PRCA Great Lake Circuit rodeo ever since. The 2026 edition is the 78th annual Tri-State Rodeo, and the rodeo was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2025.
It is two events in one: four nights of pro rodeo with a concert after each performance, and a run of family and youth activities in the days before. Bobby Holtkamp is the Tri-State Rodeo Chairman.
The 2026 Rodeo Nights, September 9-12
One ticket covers the rodeo, the concerts and the after-parties. Nightly rodeo events are bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Boyd Polhamus announces, Cervi Championship Rodeo supplies the stock, and John Harrison is the rodeo clown, barrelman and specialty act.
| Night | Theme | Main stage concert | Stockyard act |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., Sept. 9 | Jim Baier's Chute Out | Niko Moon | The Boys |
| Thu., Sept. 10 | Connection Bank's Family Night | Wynonna | Brody Vancil & The Burners |
| Fri., Sept. 11 | Military Night | Parker McCollum | The Bobby Ford Band |
| Sat., Sept. 12 | Sullivan Auctioneers Big Iron / Cinch's Saturday Night Finale | Brantley Gilbert | The Bobby Ford Band |
A drone show finale lights the arena on Friday and Saturday nights.
Pre-Rodeo Activities for Families and Kids, September 5-8
A rodeo button is required for the pre-rodeo activities. Sales locations are listed on the rodeo's FAQ page. Most of these events require pre-registration.
- Lil Spurs Rodeo: for ages 3-14, with calf riding, calf scramble, goat-tail tying, greased pig, mutton bustin' and stick horse barrel racing.
- Rodeo Stampede 5K: starts at the Bud Light Stock Yard on the grounds, with a half-mile run/walk for ages 12 and under and a Fareway Pancake Breakfast afterward.
- Special Kids Rodeo: open to physically and mentally challenged kids and adults, with simulated bull and bronc riding, simulated barrel racing and roping, horseback and trolley rides, a mechanical bull, goat tying and a petting zoo. Every participant receives a T-shirt and prizes, and a picnic lunch is provided. It is wheelchair accessible and held rain or shine. The 2026 event is Saturday, September 5, with check-in at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is requested so the right T-shirt size is ordered, but walk-ins are welcome.
- Little Miss Rodeo and All-Around Cowboy: for ages 5-7, held on Labor Day in the arena. Judges score talent, attire, stage presence and personality, and contestants collect donations in canisters at local businesses.
- Pee Wee Barrels: for riders 12 and under on ponies 56 inches or shorter, with no entry fee. Preliminary runs are held at the Fort Madison Saddle Club Arena on the Tuesday before the rodeo. The eight fastest times win belt buckles, and every preliminary rider receives a T-shirt.
Key Dates and Times
- Tickets went on sale Friday, April 3, at 8 a.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday: gates open at 5 p.m., rodeo at 7 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: gates open at 5:30 p.m., rodeo at 7:30 p.m. Concerts follow each performance.
- Friday: the 33rd Annual Tri-State Rodeo Golf Tournament at Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course, registration 8:30 a.m. and tee-off 9 a.m.
- Saturday: the Grand Rodeo Parade at 9:30 a.m. on Avenue G. Parade entry forms are available on the rodeo website.
Where
C.E. "Eddie" Richards Arena, 2103 303rd Ave, Fort Madison, IA 52627. Concerts are on the Great River Health Stage, and live bands and after-parties are at the Bud Light Stockyard. Mailing address: P.O. Box 80, Fort Madison, IA 52627.
Questions
How do I buy tickets?
Online at tristaterodeo.org or by calling the box office at 319-372-2550. One ticket covers the rodeo, the concerts and the after-parties.
Can my child take part?
Yes. Ages 3-14 can enter the Lil Spurs Rodeo, ages 5-7 the Little Miss Rodeo and All-Around Cowboy contest, and riders 12 and under the Pee Wee Barrels. All require pre-registration.
Is there an entry fee for Pee Wee Barrels?
No.
Do I need a button?
A rodeo button is required for the pre-rodeo activities.
Official Links
- Tri-State Rodeo: rodeo events, pre-rodeo activities, parade and tickets
- 2026 Tri-State Rodeo entertainment announced: nightly lineup, showtimes and ticket sale date
- Special Kids Rodeo: 2026 date, check-in and registration
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference
Iowa Farm Bureau members meet for the annual meeting and county leadership conference at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, December 8-9, 2026.
Des Moines, IA Official event details - Cass County Winter Extension and Conservation Day Camp
Polar Bear Discovery day camp for kindergarten through 2nd grade at the Cass County Community Building in Atlantic, $5 per camper. Held each year; registration closes December 23.
Atlantic, IA | Organizer: Cass County Extension Official event details - Iowa Pork Congress
Iowa Pork Producers Association winter pork industry show and trade fair in downtown Des Moines. Listed for January 20-21, 2027.
- Ringgold County Fair
Mount Ayr fair on the north edge of town, with a full week of 4-H and FFA shows for swine, sheep, goats, beef, horses, poultry and rabbits. Scheduled for July 6-11, 2027.
Mount Ayr, IA Official event details - Sioux County Youth Fair
Youth-focused Sioux County fair on the east side of Sioux Center, with 4-H events, a pork feed and a fair board breakfast. Scheduled for July 9-16, 2027.
Sioux Center, IA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.