Every July, Iron River turns cowboy. The U.P. Championship Rodeo is Michigan's only professional rodeo, with bucking broncs, bull riders and barrel racers from across the Midwest, a Wild West parade down the main street and a whole weekend of small-town fun around it.
The 59th U.P. Championship Rodeo comes to the Iron County Fairgrounds in Iron River on Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10, 2027. It's sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which means real pro cowboys and cowgirls competing for prize money and standings, and it's the only rodeo like it in Michigan.
The first one ran in August 1968, and the town has been doing it ever since. Bring the kids, wear your boots, and plan to stay for the whole weekend.
Every performance runs through the same eight events. Hover or tap a card to know what you're watching.
Eight seconds on a bucking horse, one hand.
MoreA cowboy rides a bucking horse with nothing but a handhold, and has to stay on for eight seconds. Judges score both the rider and the horse.
The classic ride: saddle, one rein, eight seconds.
MoreThe classic rodeo ride: a bucking horse, a saddle and a single rein, eight seconds, scored on rhythm and control.
The one everybody waits for.
MoreThe event most people wait for. Eight seconds on a bull, one hand on the rope, with the bullfighters ready to step in.
Rope, dismount, tie: a race against the clock.
MoreA cowboy ropes a calf from horseback, jumps down, and ties three of its legs, all against the clock.
A header and a heeler working as one.
MoreTwo ropers work together: the header catches the steer's horns and the heeler catches its back legs. Fastest team wins.
From a running horse onto a steer.
MoreA cowboy slides from a running horse onto a steer and wrestles it to the ground. The fastest runs take only a few seconds.
Speed and tight turns around three barrels.
MoreWomen riders race a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. Knock one over and it costs you time.
One fast throw, and the rope snaps free.
MoreA roper catches a running calf, and the rope breaks away from the saddle horn when it tightens. It's fast, often over in a few seconds.
Tickets for 2027 aren't on sale yet. Here's how it worked in 2026, so you know what to expect.
The whole town joins in. This is how the 2026 weekend ran; the 2027 schedule will be posted by the rodeo.
Young riders compete for Miss U.P. Rodeo and U.P. Rodeo Princess, judged on horsemanship, rodeo knowledge and more. The queen earns a $1,000 scholarship.
Rodeo RoyaltyFishing, a canoe race, music and a parade in Crystal Falls. In 2026 it shared the rodeo's weekend.
Bass FestivalFriday and Saturday, July 9 and 10, 2027, at the Iron County Fairgrounds in Iron River, Michigan. It's the 59th year.
The U.P. Championship Rodeo in Iron River is Michigan's only rodeo sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, so it's the state's only true pro rodeo.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the main sanctioning body for professional rodeo. PRCA rodeos have pro contestants competing for prize money and season standings.
Bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and breakaway roping.
2027 prices haven't been announced. In 2026, adult tickets ran $18 to $25 and kids 6 to 12 paid $7 to $10, with the lowest prices for early buyers. Kids are free with a paying adult at the Saturday afternoon show.
No. Pets aren't allowed at the rodeo, though service animals are welcome.
Usually two to two and a half hours.
Rodeo weekend fills up fast in Iron River, so book your room early. Come Friday for Market Days and the night show, stay Saturday for the parade, and spend Sunday on a lake.
Photos courtesy of the U.P. Championship Rodeo (Robyn Rhode Photography; Pure Michigan).
Summer, Things to do and tagged iron county fairgrounds, iron county michigan, iron river michigan, prca rodeo, Rodeo, summer events, up championship rodeo, upper peninsula michigan, wild west parade.
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906-214-2308
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Iron River, MI 49935
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Iron River, MI 49935
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Iron River, MI 49935
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Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.
