The Stanley Rodeo arrived in town last weekend, giving event goers food, fun, and free music!
Opening Thursday, June 12 with the Miss Stanley Queen Coronation at the Stanley Theater. The coronation started with remarks by Nikki Witt from the Stanley Area Chamber, who introduced and presented a plaque to 2025 parade grand marshals Jeff and Cathy Ryba.
Following the plaque presentation, Witt introduced the 2024 royalty, many of whom gave speeches. From there the 2025 royalty candidates were introduced, each escorted to the front by someone important in their lives. Sydney Haas was crowned as Miss Stanley 2025, with Vivienne Sikora crowned Little Miss Stanley and Kwynn Smasal, Charlie Poehls, and Lillie Smith crowned as Little Princesses.
There was no Junior Miss this year.
Picking up again Friday, the Rodeo kicked off with vendors opening at 4:00 p.m. and the Rodeo performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Events ran in quick succession this year, with each event sponsored by an area business. Rodeo cowboy Luke West appeared with his two daughters for Father’s Day to open the show along with two mares and their foals, while the Stanley-Boyd FFA unfurled the flag at center ring for the national anthem. A Legion/VFW honor guard flew the colors as the Star Spangled Banner played. During the events proper rodeo performer Kane McGee came out later with a Texas longhorn named Albert, saddled like a horse. Kyle “Hashtag” Lamon was rodeo clown this year, performing with his dog Trick.
As for rodeo competition, team roping was sponsored by Lacey Granger of Coldwell Banker Brenzier Realty, with Saddle Bronc by Citizens State Bank and tie down roping by Keeku Farms and Stanley Tire Center. Steer Wrestling was sponsored by the Gutterman and Bareback riding by the Boot Barn. Followed by intermission was barrel racing, sponsored by the Bob and Carol Patten family, with Debbie’s on Broadway sponsoring bull riding. Making the top ten for amateur barrel races Friday was Lula Chwala of Stanley, who placed third with a time of 17.19. Also from Stanley, Evelyn Williams came away with a time of 28.88, after working to get her horse around the barrels. Winners of the Friday raffle by the Legion and VFW were Madelyn Leiz and Juniper Stordahl, who bought tickets together and finished the night a combined $1,100 richer.
Free music was provided by the Brady Luke Band in the Chapman Park bandstand after the rodeo.
Come Saturday meanwhile and repeating Sunday morning, a Cowboy Breakfast sponsored by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church served up French Toast, scrambled eggs, Sausage links, applesauce, and a choice between two percent milk, orange juice, apple juice, decaf coffee, regular coffee, and water. mah food and vendor booths opened at 3:30 p.m. in Chapman Park,, a parade on Broadway taking place at 2 p.m. Stanley Police Chief Lance Weiland led the parade out, followed by the Stanley VFW and Legion as well as Boyd Legion. Grand Marshals Jeff and Cathy Ryba took part, along with 2025 and 2024 Stanley Royalty, other area Royalty, Stanley Fire, Boyd-Edson-Delmar Fire, several area businesses and Faith Free VBS. Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Karen Hurd took part as well.
Come 7:30 p.m. it was time for another rodeo performance, this one somewhat drier as the rain held off and tickets sold out. Events returned as the second night of performances got underway, the Legion/VFW raffle won by Steven Patten and totaling $1,800. The Dan Lepien band provided free live music from 9:00 p.m. on in the Chapman Park Bandstand.
Come Sunday morning there was Cowboy Breakfast in the community center at 7:00 a.m. along with church in the Bandstand at 10:30 a.m. at the Bandstand, sponsored by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The Stanley Rod and Gun Club put on a Charcoal Chicken Dinner at 11:00 a.m., with a half chicken $15 and a quarter chicken $10. A hot dog tray could be had for $5.
New this year, a team penning and sorting event took place at 11:00 a.m. in the Rodeo Arena, while the professional horse pull took place on the truck and tractor pull track at 1:00 p.m.
With help from volunteers and ample community support, the 2025 Stanley Rodeo Days was a success! Sponsors for this year’s Rodeo included the following:
Lacey Granger, Coldwell Bankers Brenzier Realty
Haas Inc.
Breezy Acres Auto Repair
Gerrits Construction
Xcel Energy
Kluck Steel
Chwala’s Construction
Broadway Boutique
In Memory of Dave Endru
Bill Peterson Memorial
Stanley Hometown Dentistry
BD Roycraft Sewer and Water Contractors
Boot Barn
Fireworks Liquidators
Northwestern Bank
ABC News 18
Martino’s Restaurant
Cinch Jeans and Shirts
Hazuga’s True Value
ACE Ethanol
Hansen’s Market IGA
GFL
Three Hills Rodeo
Forward Bank
Morrie’s of Cadott
The Gutterman
Stanley Tire Center
In Memory of Bob and Carol Patten
Marine Credit Union
Citizens State Bank
WAXX 104.5
Revive Chiropractic of Owen
Sevita
Debbie’s on Broadway
Icon Meats, and
PRCA Rodeo