MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — Piatt County welcomed thousands for day two of their three-day Trail Blazers Rodeo.
“70 years strong here at Trail Blazers, and you guys know how this works,” the public address announcer said at the rodeo.
Slip on your leather boots — and don’t forget the cowboy hat, the rodeo is in town.
“It’s a good time; we like to bring families out and have a good time,” said events coordinator Autumn Mitchell. “We’re just family fun all around.”
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Piatt County Trailblazers Rodeo taking place in Monticello. According to Mitchell, they offer a complete experience whether you’re interested in food or entertainment.
“We have events that are based on speed and precision,” Mitchell explained. “There are food stalls, shopping opportunities, and we’re excited to have Dusty Myers, the rodeo clown, joining us again this year.”
The three-day event kicked off on Thursday and continues through Saturday. Mitchell said they’re expecting more than a thousand people each day.
“It’s looked forward to every year for the community,” she said. “Central Illinois itself, it’s just a great time to be at.”
Grace Johnson is the 2025 Rodeo Queen. She said the event keeps coming back because of how beloved it is within the community.
“As someone who lives here, I believe this is one of the most anticipated events in town,” Johnson shared. “The community may be small, but the event attracts many people from neighboring areas. It generates a lot of excitement, and my friends and everyone else eagerly await it.”
So, if you want to buck your plans for some bull riding, Monticello might just be the place for you.
The final day for the rodeo is Saturday: “First Responders Night.” Workers said they’re expecting another large crowd to show up and enjoy the festivities at the Piatt County Rodeo.
