Jun 13, 2026
Submitted photo Steer wrestling is one of eight rodeo events at the 81st Gerry Fire Department’s annual rodeo, featuring more than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation competing for $50,000 in prize money.
GERRY – As the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department heads toward its 81st consecutive pro rodeo in August, many people don’t realize that this rodeo is not just a small-town rodeo but is part of one of America’s major sporting groups – the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which sanctions more than 650 rodeos across the nation.
These rodeos draw more than 30 million fans annually, more than pro football and pro basketball combined.
The PRCA has approximately 6,200 members with about 5,000 of those being active competitors. The organization’s purpose is not only to promote rodeo, but also to make and enforce rules concerning the conduct of the competitors as well as the treatment and care of the animals involved. Every rodeo is required to have a veterinarian on site for every performance as the welfare of the animals is of major importance because many of them are valued at thousands of dollars. The PRCA has the authority to impose fines, suspensions or expulsions to any member whose personal conduct or treatment of the animals violates their book of rules.
The PRCA has divided the nation into 12 geographic circuits with each having its own year-end championship, with the top 15 contestants in each of the eight events qualifying for rodeo’s 10-performance “Super Bowl” in Las Vegas with prize money of $17 million. This rodeo has sold out all 10 performances for 40 straight years, illustrating the popularity of this sport. Today, pro rodeos are held in all 50 states with 73 colleges sponsoring rodeo teams. In addition, 43 states have high school rodeo associations, including New York.
Rodeo contestants are often referred to as the true athletes as there are no contracts, no guaranteed paychecks, and they must pay dues, insurance, all of their expenses and pay an entry fee for each rodeo they enter. To become a PRCA member, a cowboy must be 18 and fill out a notarized application to secure a temporary permit good for one year. At the end of the year, he must be in good standing and have won at least $1,000 in prize money to get his full membership card.
This summer’s Gerry rodeo is set for four nightly performances, Aug. 5-8, featuring 250 professional contestants from more than 30 states, competing for $50,000 in bareback and saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and the cowgirls’ events – barrel racing and breakaway roping. In addition, the event features a lighted midway with 20-plus vendors and the famous beef dinners at 5 each evening.
Additional information is available through the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at (716) 985-4847.
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