Cherokee Rodeo Gallery

Down and dirty - The 2012 Cherokee Chamber of Commerce PRCA Rodeo kicked off on Thursday May 30th. Rodeo fans got lucky when the rain on Thursday finally stopped just in time for the evening performance. However, the rain made the arena at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds particularly muddy for riders such as this contestant in the Bareback Riding event.

Sweet talker - Rodeo announcer Travis Schauda rides into the arena at the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce PRCA Rodeo on Thursday. Schauda hails from Broken Bow, Neb. and has appeared in Cherokee several times in recent years

Making an entrance - Rodeo stock contractor Bob Barnes, right, makes his way around the arena during the Grand Entry kicking off the 46th annual Cherokee PRCA Rodeo. Hitching a ride with Barnes is Dan Anderson of the Cherokee Chamber Rodeo Board. Photo contributed

Bareback Riding - The Bareback Riding event kicked off the Cherokee Chamber PRCA Rodeo at Thursday's night performance. This rider is pictured holding on tight for a fabulous ride as the first rider of the 46th annual Rodeo.

Rodeo action - The Bareback Riding event at the Cherokee Chamber PRCA Rodeo is challenging to say the lest. This rider is trying to hold on for eight seconds, holding nothing but a single-handhold rigging cinched around the horse's girth.

Pickup Men - Marty Barnes, left, and Westin Barnes, right, were Thursday's Pickup Men at the 46th annual Cherokee Chamber of Commerce PRCA Rodeo. The Pickup men are cowboys who work the roughstock events. They manage the horses and bulls and rescue bronc and bareback riders from their horses after they make a ride. They also release the flank strap on horses after their work is done.

Back in the saddle again - Marty Barnes is pictured during Thursday's Rodeo performance as he helps escort a horse back to the corral after one of the bareback riders completed his ride.

Mud bath- Funnyman Hippie Engelke, was prepared for the wet and muddy conditions at Thursday's Rodeo performance at the 46th Cherokee Chamber of Commerce PRCA Rodeo. Engelke delighted the crowd with his hilarious antics.

Welcoming guests - Jim Adamson of the historical Cherokee Depot Inc. is pictured welcoming guests to one of the more popular events held during the Cherokee Rodeo. On Saturday, the Depot hosted a BBQ Cookout and train robbery re-enactment.

BBQ at the Depot - The historic Cherokee Depot was the place to be on Saturday as the annual Depot BBQ was held to the delight of all who attended this event.

Rodeo Royalty - Making their rounds around Cherokee on Saturday were Cherokee Rodeo Royalty including,left to right, Miss Rodeo Iowa, Rachel Burton,the newly- crowned Miss Rodeo Cherokee 2012, Jaci Hermstad, and Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa. Jenna Kool. The trio are pictured above attending the Cherokee Depot BBQ Cookout.

Well attended event - Shortly after noon on Saturday, a great crowd gathered at the historic Cherokee Depot to watch a train robbery take place. Each year members of the Western Iowa Boarder Agents perform a period re-enactment.

The strongbox - While escorting the train's strongbox full of gold, the guards projecting it were ambushed by a pack of thugs who were hungry for some gold.

Through the smoke - As the gunsmoke started to clear near the Cherokee Depot, it was obvious that the bad guy would stop at nothing, even taking hostages, to get the gold that was making its way from California.

Bad guys walk away - As the body count mounted after the train robbery at the Cherokee Depot Saturday, the robbers walked away with the bags of gold - putting the end to the Western Iowa Boarder Agents. (Photo contributed)

Not so fast - While making their getaway ,the train robbers were ambushed by the ladies who were passengers on the train during Saturday's robbery at the Cherokee Depot

Getting the job done - The bandits learned the hard way that the ladies of Cherokee were more than a match for them as they took the gold back from the bandits, marking the climax at the Depot robbery a delight for the crowd.

Rodeo Parade - Members of the Cherokee 4-H Cavaliers are pictured making their way along Saturday's Rodeo Parade route , which started at the Cherokee Washington High School and ended at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds.

American Legion - Members of the Cherokee American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary are pictured as they ride on the float during Saturday's Rodeo Parade in downtown Cherokee.

Fair Queen Candidates - This year's Cherokee County Fair Queen Candidates made their first public event at the Cherokee Rodeo Parade that was held on Saturday.

Veterans Affairs - The Cherokee County Veterans Affairs made a strong entrance with their big double deuce truck during last weekend Rodeo Parade held in Cherokee.

4-H'ers float - Members of the Cherokee 4-H Youth Group are pictured having a great time riding on their float at the annual Cherokee Rodeo Parade.

Buena Vista Renal Center - The Buena Vista Renal Center in Storm Lake made the trip over to Cherokee to be part of the annual Cherokee Rodeo Parade. They had a wonderful float, featuring the classic children's game,'Operation'.

Little Miss Marcus - The 2011 Little Miss Marcus, Recca Jochims, is pictured throwing a handful of candy to the many parade watchers on Saturday at the Cherokee Rodeo Parade.

Girl Scouts - The Cherokee area Girl Scouts are pictured waving and having a good time during Saturday's Rodeo Parade in Cherokee - part of the annual Cherokee Chamber of Commerce PRCA Rodeo.