About Us
The Three Forks Rodeo has been a tradition in the community since 1946.
Volunteer Staff
The Three Forks Rodeo Arena is overseen by a dedicated volunteer board that works diligently to coordinate the annual Three Forks Rodeo event. Together with a committee and community volunteers, this exceptional team plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the rodeo, contributing their time and effort to create a memorable experience for all attendees. Their hard work and passion for the event are evident, as they come together to support this cherished community tradition.
If you're interested in helping with this year's rodeo, please reach out and we'll be glad to have you be a part of our team!
A tradition founded in the western lifestyle
History of the Three Forks Rodeo
The story of the Three Forks Rodeo begins in 1946, when a couple of determined locals—Harley Fitzhugh and Tex Simpson—set out to bring a rodeo to town. With the help of the Three Forks/Willow Creek Roping Club, that first event was held on the very grounds where the rodeo still takes place today.
In those early years, it wasn’t about big crowds or big payouts—it was about community. Neighbors pitched in, cowboys showed up, and a tradition was born. Folks like Don Scoffield, Jack Rea, Monte Parker, LeRoy Miller, Dick Lower, and Ben Peterson helped build the rodeo from the ground up. Peterson’s dedication to the event earned him the honor of Grand Marshal in 1961.
As the years rolled on, the torch was passed from one group to the next. The Three Forks Booster Club, the Jaycees, and later the Three Rivers Saddle Club all carried the rodeo forward, each leaving their mark along the way. From 1975 to 2001, the Saddle Club guided the rodeo through a quarter century of growth before today’s Rodeo Board took the reins.
Through it all, some things never changed. The rodeo has stayed rooted right here since 1946, and every year it’s been paired with a parade down Main Street—a celebration of small-town pride that still brings folks together.
Over time, the Three Forks Rodeo has grown into one of the premier rodeos in southwest Montana. It has earned the NRA Golden Rodeo of the Year honors in 2008, 2014, and again in 2021—recognition that reflects not just the competition, but the spirit behind it.
Like any good Western story, there have been challenges along the way. In 2020, after completing a major new bleacher project, the rodeo faced something no one saw coming—the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in generations, the arena sat quiet. But the community didn’t. Instead, folks came together for what became known as the “No-Go Rodeo,” a fundraising effort and video event that helped cover expenses and keep the tradition alive.
That same community support has fueled the rodeo’s growth ever since. In recent years, crowds have filled the stands and then some, proving that the rodeo is as strong as ever. Because of that support, another bleacher expansion is now underway, adding more seating and making room for the next generation of fans.
One thing that sets the Three Forks Rodeo apart is how it’s sustained. There’s no ongoing taxpayer funding behind it—just local businesses, volunteers, sponsors, and the people who show up year after year. It’s a true community rodeo, built by the people who love it.
From a handful of cowboys in 1946 to the packed grandstands you see today, the Three Forks Rodeo is more than an event—it’s a tradition, a gathering, and a way of life that continues to ride strong.
Our Vision & Mission
The mission of the Three Forks Rodeo Board is to preserve and promote the tradition of rodeo in Three Forks by producing a high-quality, family-friendly event that celebrates Western heritage, supports the local community, and provides opportunities for contestants and spectators alike.
The Three Forks Rodeo Board strives to ensure the long-term success and growth of the rodeo by maintaining and improving the rodeo grounds, expanding facilities to meet increasing demand, and fostering strong community support so future generations can continue to experience and enjoy this enduring tradition.