FORT MADISON – You’ll want to keep an eye on the Tri-State Rodeo’s Facebook page on Tuesday.
The TSR committee will be announcing four national acts that will be playing a TSR Summer Roundup in June at the C.E. “Eddie” Richards Arena on the rodeo grounds in Fort Madison.
The inaugural music festival is the brainchild of the committee and past-chairman in an effort to take advantage of the rodeo arena that, in essence, sits empty except for about three weeks at the end of the summer.
Tony Johnson, past chairman of the Rodeo, is serving as the chairman of the summer festival and said the committee has set up a different festival for local music fans.
“We’ve had conversations about this great facility and how we can use it more, and those conversations have been going on for some time,” Johnson said.
“A couple of us got our heads together and brainstormed about getting a summer concert going. We wanted to roll out a footprint that works, so we’re going to start with 3,200 tickets for this first event.”
The concert will be a little different than the shows put on during the rodeo in September. Johnson said the stage will be in the middle of the arena and will face the VIP section of the stands. There will be general admission “party pit” tickets for the dirt in front of the stage as well as VIP tickets.
He said tickets will range from $35 to $75 per night depending on where you want to be. There is also a weekend package for the Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21 shows. Johnson said there will be four national acts, two on Friday and two on Saturday, and then a party band playing following the two acts each night.
A food court with food trucks will be on the northwest side of the arena both nights.
Shottenkirk is the presenting sponsor of the concert series, but Johnson said there are many other businesses and individuals associated with the rodeo that are on board with the summer event, which he said he hopes becomes an annual event chaired by the immediate past chairman of the rodeo.
Tickets for the event will go on sale Friday through the rodeo at www.tsrsummerroundup.com.
TSR Chairman Bobby Holtkamp said Johnson brought up the idea and the committee was immediately excited about the possibilities.
“During talks about some capital improvements at the grounds, Tony pitched the idea to me and Bob Huffman (Rodeo Secretary) about having a summer event. We immediately got excited about the thought of using the facility more,” Holtkamp said.
“What I love about our rodeo board, is that they are a forward-thinking group and ready to do what it takes to improve the TSR brand. So, when we ran this by the board for approval, there was no hesitation.”
Holtkamp said while his focus is on the annual rodeo, Johnson will be chairing the summer event.
“We can’t lose sight of what our main purpose is. So, to make sure we maintain our rodeo quality, we’re having Tony spearhead this whole Summer Roundup from the ground up. It’s a no brainer for Tony to be the guy taking charge. His knowledge and leadership as a Past Chairman is something I try to copy as the current General Chairman. I have no doubt that this event will be a success with him taking the lead.
Holtkamp said the idea has been full throttle since the 2024 Tri-State Rodeo came to an end.
“Our operating committee has stepped up tremendously at an extra event we have thrown their way, the city has been amazing to work with, our sheriff and police chief have been nothing but supportive and, of course, our fan base has shown a lot of love toward this event. We are really excited to start a new family tradition here in Fort Madison,” he said.
Johnson said they are starting conservatively with the first event to make sure they do everything right.
“We would love to sell this out both nights," he said.
"This is another piece of adding to quality of life in southeast Iowa and Fort Madison."
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