Rodeos in Alaska

Rodeo Alaska

Rodeo Alaska is known as the “Northern Most Rodeo in America” and they are the premiere production company that has set forth to put on family-friendly rodeos in Alaska. Below is a list of all of the rodeos they put on throughout the year.

History of Rodeo Alaska

Prior to 1962, there were sporadic rodeos held in Alaska, mostly with a casual atmosphere where local ranchers would bring a small number of livestock for roping, a few unruly horses, and occasionally a bucking cow or two. These events took place on the 4th of July at Happy Valley near Homer, during Colony Days in Palmer, and at the State Fair on old Bailey Hill north of Palmer. Cowboys would register on the day of the rodeo, judges would be selected on the spot, and rules were often improvised based on the judge’s personal knowledge from professional rodeos outside of Alaska. In 1962, the stock contractors Mo-Ke-Bo, based in Palmer, were responsible for organizing rodeos. Two of the partners, Keith Hooks and Bob Swift, played significant roles in this. It was at one of these rodeos that three cowboys, Rick Ellis, Al Matney, and Jake Neves, realized the need for formal organization. They came together and established the Alaska State Rodeo Cowboys Association, which became the first rodeo association for cowboys in the state. Rick Ellis and Al Matney are still actively involved in Alaska rodeo to this day. This association operated for approximately six years until Mo-Ke-Bo sold its stock.

Since then, Rodeo Alaska has gone through many changes, many stock contractors, and many dedicated volunteers to keep the sport of rodeo alive on the last frontier. Learn more about their events and organization below.