Kempker named 2023 TSR Chairman

Tri-State Rodeo to celebrate 75th anniversary

If you come to Fort Madison and look at production and the specialty acts and the crew, we're  bringing the NFR to Fort Madison really. It really is. That's a big deal and I hope that people understand what they have right at their back door. It's quite the product”

Chuck Kempker, 2023 TSR General Chair

FORT MADISON - The Tri-State Rodeo will have a long-standing veteran ushering in the 2023 event, which just happens to be its 75th Anniversary.

With Tony Johnson exiting as General Chairman after serving the past four years, including the COVID-cancelled 2021 year, 18-year committee secretary Chuck Kempker has been tapped to usher in the 75th, or diamond jubilee, year.

Kempker was the general chairman when they had two-year rotations from 2000-2001.

Johnson said it was a nice fit for Kempker to jump in for a year to oversee the diamond anniversary.

It was the perfect opportunity to kind of thank Chuck for all his years of service. He and I talked about him stepping back after 18 years. To sit at that position for that long, he's seen a lot of challenges," Johnson said.

"I know he has some things up his sleeve and, if it pans out with those ideas, it will be another great rodeo."

Kempker said the rodeo will have the same structure, but right now he's looking for entertainment.

"It will be a little different and a little ramped up. Tony has set the bar pretty high," Kempker said.

Kempker said at the end of last year he was ready to  step back from the rodeo committee's secretary position. At that point, traditionally, someone serving that long would be considered for the rodeo's nine-person board of directors.

Johnson, being the immediate past chairman, would fall onto that board and then if there is an opening he could put his name in for an elected position on the board.

Kempker said he'll be not only looking at how far the rodeo has come in 75 years, but will also be looking back at the traditions and history of the annual September weeklong show.

He said he's hoping to retain the Wednesday format that CINCH has sponsored the last five years in the CINCH Chute-Out.

"We're pretty confident we'll be able to hold onto the format. It's such a good show."

One of Kempker's first duties will be to head to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo to network and talk about programming for the 2023 event.

"If you come to Fort Madison and look at production and the specialty acts and the crew, we're  bringing the NFR to Fort Madison really," he said.

"It really is. That's a big deal and I hope that people understand what they have right at their back door. It's quite the product."