Rodeo season gets off to an early start

It’s rodeo time once again Kitsap County.

On Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25, the Thunderbird Benefit Rodeo will kick off the rodeo season at Thunderbird Stadium at the Kitsap Fairgrounds.

The rodeo will be a benefit for the Kitsap County Boys and Girls Club and Corey’s Day on the Farm and is the first-ever Northwest Professional Rodeo Association-sactioned rodeo in the county.

“We have a whole different set of cowboys coming,” Colen Corey, an organizer of the event, said. “And we’ve got the best stock in the Northwest.”

In addition to the actual events, Corey said there will be plenty for fans to do, including the addition of a mechanical bull. There will also be a beer garden with live music by Poulsbo’s Katie Webster. This year’s rodeo queen, Hannah Hathaway of Port Orchard, will also be there.

One difference rodeo fans will notice is the new location of the chutes at the stadium.

“That’s going to be really good,” Corey said. “We’re pouring concrete back where the old chutes were. The whole arena configuration will be different. And it gives us a chance to do a run before the fair.”

Several local riders will be competing in the two-day event, including Dan Morse, who will compete in bull riding, as well as Port Orchard’s Gary Lee Bruhen. Corey’s niece, Lylan Corey, will also compete in breakaway roping.

But aside from the quality level of the competitors, Corey said he is most looking forward to raising funds for the charities.

“What I look forward to most is the opportunity to give back to the community,” Corey said. “Especially with the Boys and Girls club being so new. It’s a very worthy cause. And we’re looking forward to producing a very good rodeo. The cowboys are already very excited.”

As for Clint Corey, Colen said he may attend, but said that Clint’s real estate ventures have kept him busy.

“He’s considering entering the team roping competition,” Colen Corey said. “But he’s pretty busy selling real estate.”

Tickets are available for $8 with a $1 military discount while kids under 10 get in for free. Tickets can be purchased at and Westsound Bank location, Charlie Booth’s in Silverdale and at Bethel Feed in Port Orchard.

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