We got an opportunity for free tickets and lodging from a friend out in western Kansas to a local rodeo. Hill City, KS is located along the rodeo trail. Nestled along the route between Cheyenne, WY and Dodge City, KS, Hill City allows the riders an opportunity to stop on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and make some money on the way to the Dodge City rodeo.
I've been to rodeos before, but it's been a while. Getting this opportunity seemed like a great chance to capture some photos, soak up some cowboy culture, and see my long term friend. The main activites were calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, bull riding, bull fighting, and barrel racing. It's all pretty exciting!
Culture wise, lots of pickup trucks, chewing tobacco, cowboy hats/boots, and rodeo food that included funnel cake, hamburgers, snow cones, and BBQ....pretty similar to fair food if you've attended any fairs before. The people were friendly, didn't mind a camera with long zoom lens, and happy that I donated the photos for them to use as local promotion as well as give away to any riders that might want them.