What Abbyville Frontier Days Is
Abbyville Frontier Days is a weekend-long community celebration in Reno County built around a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo and a barbecue. The 2022 rodeo was named PRCA Small Rodeo of the Year, and the event is about 60 years old and is described as a destination rodeo that draws people from across Kansas. The 2025 edition was the 63rd annual. The most recent performances were Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, 2026, each starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Abbyville Rodeo Grounds.
The Weekend, Day by Day
The lineup has changed a little from year to year. The 2025 and 2026 schedules looked like this.
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Thursday (2025) | Turn N' Burn Barrel Race at 7 p.m., free admission, concessions available |
| Friday | Gates open 6:00 p.m., mutton busting at 7:00 p.m., PRCA rodeo at 8:00 p.m. Children 12 and under were free on Family Night in 2025, and kids got in free on Friday night in 2026 |
| Saturday | Parade through downtown at 10:30 a.m.; ham and bean / chicken noodle dinner at 11:30 a.m. in 2026; family activities in the afternoon; barbecue meal from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. under the Pavilion; rodeo at 8:00 p.m. |
| Sunday (2025) | Cowboy Church service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a community carry-in dinner |
Ways to Take Part
- Parade: Saturday at 10:30 a.m. through downtown Abbyville. In 2025 there was no entry fee to ride or walk in it.
- Ranch rodeo: In 2025 teams of four competed in double mugging, doctoring and trailer loading at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The entry fee was $400 per team, entered by phone at 620-727-1853.
- Barrel race: The Thursday-night Turn N' Burn race was open for entries through Kaci Mead at 620-200-0388.
- Mutton busting: Sign-ups begin when gates open; the riding starts at 7:00 p.m.
Check the rodeo's site for the current year's list before you plan to enter.
Tickets
Tickets are sold online at the rodeo's site and at local outlets: A5 Western and Central Prairie Coop Farm Stores in Hutchinson, Farmer's Coop in Abbyville, Central Prairie Coop in Sterling, The Village Place Salon in Arlington, Yoder Auto Center in Yoder, Sugar Creek Boutique in Hutchinson Mall and Gambino's in South Hutchinson. For ticket questions call 620-727-4569.
Where
Abbyville Rodeo Grounds, 100 S. Main, Abbyville, KS 67510.
Questions
Is it a professional rodeo?
Yes, PRCA-sanctioned, and it earned PRCA Small Rodeo of the Year honors in 2022.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. Children 12 and under were admitted free on Family Night, and mutton busting, free pony rides (2025) and family activities fill the weekend.
Is there food?
Yes. A barbecue meal is served on Saturday evening, and Saturday midday has a community dinner, with concessions available at the grounds.
When is the next one?
It is held each May. Watch the rodeo's site for the next dates.
Official Links
- 2026 Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo and BBQ: times, location and contact
- 63rd Annual Abbyville Frontier Days Rodeo: 2025 schedule, ranch rodeo and ticket outlets
- Sixty Years of Abbyville Frontier Days: the Small Rodeo of the Year honor
Major Kansas Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
Kansas' big junior livestock stages are all in Hutchinson at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Shows
The Kansas State Fair ran September 11-20 in 2026, with the 4-H and FFA Grand Drive for beef, sheep, swine and goats (regular entries due July 15). The Kansas Junior Livestock Show ran October 2-4, 2026, with online entries due August 15. The Kansas Beef Expo is December 9-13, 2026, with junior breeding and market shows. Market animals and commercial breeding females must be nominated for the Grand Drive and KJLS.
Rodeos
Kansas rodeos include the Pretty Prairie Rodeo in July, the PRCA Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene, the KPRA Finals in Dodge City and the Kansas Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg. Confirm dates for the coming year before you go.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Kansas Beef Expo
Youth livestock show with junior breeding and market classes, a female sale, a trade show and a judging contest at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 11-14, 2025.
2000 N Poplar St, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 785-259-4122 Official event details - Kansas Junior Angus Preview Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 6-7, 2026. Junior Angus exhibitors preview their show cattle at the Prairie Pavilion on the Hutchinson fairgrounds before summer shows.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 620.874.4273 | Organizer: Kansas Angus Association Official event details - National Junior Charolais Association Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-26, 2026. Charolais youth from across the country show cattle, compete in leadership contests and meet fellow exhibitors in Hutchinson.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 816.464.2474 | Organizer: National Junior Charolais Association Official event details - Pretty Prairie Kansas Largest Night Rodeo
Night rodeo held each July in Pretty Prairie, Reno County. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17-20, 2026.
- Reno County Fair
Reno County Fair is held at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Reno County; the 2026 edition ran July 23-27, 2026, and the fair returns each year.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.