OK Broadus.

No excuses. There will be room for everyone.

Rodeo is returning to the small, tight-knit community tucked in the southeast corner of Montana.

Broadus Fairgrounds, still glinting in newness, seats approximately 600 fans.

According to recent numbers, Broadus has a population of less than 500.

“The community is ag-based,” said Jesse Fleming, the rodeo committee chairman and organizer. “There is a lot of roots in rodeo. The county deserves a good rodeo.”

The Powder River County Fair and Rodeo is Friday, July 24. The 6 p.m. performance will be followed by a concert.

Admission to both is free.

Entry fees and added money are also covered for event winners who will be awarded a commemorative buckle.

“The county has been really helpful,” said Fleming, an insurance agent who splits his work week between Broadus and Wolf Point. “And with things like added money, local sponsors have been stepping up.

“With the free rodeo and concert, we hope to get support.”

New to the Northern Rodeo Association and Northern Women’s Rodeo schedule, money won will count toward qualifying for the NRA Finals presented by nuWest Builders, Oct. 22-24 at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell.

The Broadus Rodeo will also draw entries from North and South Dakota, being sanctioned by the North Dakota Rodeo Association and the Northwest Ranch Cowboys Association.

“The NRA has it where families can enter together. “It’s a family association,” Fleming said. “And that’s what we want … making it a family event.”

Big Circle Rodeo Company, run by Paul Eiker, is the stock contractor.

“Paul Eiker is a rock star,” said Fleming who has leaned on Eiker for help in the planning stages. “And so is Theresa (Sorlie, NRA executive secretary).”

Those NRA family connections include Fleming. Fleming will be team roping with his son Cort while daughter Mesa will be competing in breakaway roping.

“And I’m sure they will be doing anything else that will be needed,” added the father with a laugh. “My wife Ashley will be working the books.”

The Fleming family has been long part of Broadus rodeo history. Patriarch Philip Fleming team roped, along with sons Jesse, Brett and Derick. Derick is a two-time NRA team roping champion.

Fleming said Broadus had a pro rodeo through the mid-2000’s, followed by a Broncs and Bull event.

“We had a ranch rodeo that was going great,” said Fleming. “But people wanted to see some rough stock events. We’re going to give them rough stock events”

Fleming wouldn’t mind the rodeo gaining a foothold in eastern Montana.

“We’re hoping everything goes well,” he said. “We’d like to see that momentum keep rolling.”

East Helena winners: Bareback, Leighton LaFromboise, 78. Saddle bronc, Colton Haase, East Helena, 78. Bull riding, Mike Buffs, Boulder, 62. Steer wrestling, Jhet Murphy, Helena, 5.7. Tie-down roping, Blaise Bolich, Belgrade, 11.3. Team roping, Shawn Bird-Colten Fisher, Cut Bank, 6.3. Barrel racing, Lisa Warfield, Helena, 17.65. Breakaway roping, Rylee Ogren, Hysham, 2.1. Junior barrel racing, Austyn Rask,Helena  17.99. Junior breakaway roping, Breckyn Pulasky, 3.1.

Malta winners: Bareback, No entries. Saddle bronc, J.C. DeSaveur, Roberts, 79. Bull riding, No rides. Steer wrestling, Ben Ayre, Glendive, 16.7. Tie-down roping, Shedrick Sanborn, Big Timber,12.0. Team roping, Cameron Handy-Lane Krutzfeldt, Powderville, 6.3. Barrel racing, Nicki Knerr, Grass Range, 17.64. Breakaway roping, Amelia Lancaster, 4.2, Molly Gilbert, Billings, 4.2. Junior barrel racing, Sophia Neill, Cascade, 17.86. Junior breakaway roping, Paisley Kruse, Bridger, 6.9.