The 35th annual PBR Bull Ride will be one to remember, said Randy Jokela, show producer for Jokela ProWest.
The Professional Bull Riders Challenger Tour will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 4-6 in Park Rapids. Jokela ProWest produces Minnesota’s largest PBR-sanctioned bull ride in the nation over the Fourth of July week.
“It will be the most dynamic PBR we’ve ever done in Park Rapids,” Jokela said, including more prize money to be awarded. This year’s bull riders are amazing and Jokela said there is even a waiting list.
“We’re loaded each day with some great bull riders from around the world,” he said. Fans who follow the PBR on CBS and other national networks will recognize the same top cowboys and bulls at the Challenger Tour Bull Ride.
Park Rapids has become legendary for its hospitality, all-American holiday atmosphere and energized crowds. The nation’s top bull riders mark this event down each year as a must-attend event. It’s a retreat from the heat of venues in states like Texas and Arkansas. This year, riders in the top 40 of the Built Ford Tough Series have the opportunity to compete for points in events in the Touring Pro Division, which includes Park Rapids. This means Park Rapids has a chance of getting some of the best current bull riders in the world. The bulls are second to none. Many of the bulls come from Chad Berger in Mandan, N.D., along with other contractors. Many of the bulls used in Park Rapids qualify for the PBR bull riding finals in Las Vegas. There will be about 50 bull rides per night, along with new contestants all three days. In addition to seeing live, heart-stopping action as cowboys go after that eight-second, scoring ride, audiences return year after year to enjoy the pageantry of the opening ceremonies, Moto X freestyle aerial shows and nightly concerts/dances. Kids’ day is Thursday, July 4. Registration for kids’ sheep riding, for 5- to 7 year-olds, will be taken online only on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free. The gates open at 5 p.m. with shows beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets and information can be found at www.parkrapidsbullride.com .
