National High School Finals Rodeo to Be Held in Lincoln

April 29, 2021, 4:33 p.m. ·

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Photo courtesy of LeAnne Morman.

The National High School Finals Rodeo will be held in Lincoln for the first time ever in July. The competition will feature high school finalists from 43 different states, five Canadian provinces, Mexico, and potentially Australia and New Zealand, depending on COVID, with a total of 1700 competitors spread across 13 different events. Amy Dickerson, managing director of the Lancaster Event Center fairgrounds where the event will be held, said the National High School Finals Rodeo is the World Championship of the sport at the high school level.

She said many of the competitors have already gone pro or will go pro after this.

"They literally get a belt buckle to show that achievement and like I said, many of them go on to compete professionally. This organization really encouraged them to find universities that have rodeo programs, both rodeo and study and get that college degree.”

Dickerson said holding the rodeo in Lincoln will help the state economically.

“This is going to bring upwards of $16 million with additional economic impact from these 1700 youth and their families coming along with vendors and staff and fans. So $16 million in economic impact would be the equivalent of four more football Saturdays for Lincoln over those 10 days.”

The finals will be held from July 18th to the 24th. Dickerson said they are looking for hundreds of volunteers to help welcome the visitors to Nebraska. For more information visit the Lancaster Event Center.