Rusk County Board bars July bull-riding date, then approves event only 30 days after county fair

Rusk County Board of Supervisors members voted 16–1 on a motion to allow the “Bulls, Barrels and Bands” rodeo-style event at the Rusk County Fairgrounds in 2025 only if it is held at least 30 days after the county fair — effectively putting any fairgrounds date on or after Sept. 10, 2025. Earlier in the meeting the board rejected a separate motion to host the event on July 26, 2025 (6–11).

Why it matters: The county fair board and multiple youth exhibitors told supervisors that a large, similar event within two weeks of the junior fair would reduce advertising time, volunteer bandwidth and gate revenue that the fair reinvests in fairground improvements and youth programs.

Public comment at the meeting was dominated by fair supporters who said the fair is the county’s largest youth-focused event and that proceeds from the PRCA rodeo are a major source of fair revenue. “The fair is the largest youth-oriented event that we have in our county,” said Summer Butterfield, agriculture educator at Bruce School and FFA advisor. Butterfield told the board the rodeo income is “put back into the fair and the fairgrounds to improve the overall use for the facilities for everyone within the community.”

Several residents urged supervisors to reject the July date. “If you are considering doing that, I hope that you'll be as generous … and perhaps give part of your gate to the junior fair because it's going to definitely impact the junior fair,” said Bob Larkowski, who identified himself as a longtime area resident, businessman and member of the county board of adjustment. Sandy Potter, a parent active in 4‑H, asked the board not to allow a summer event hosted at the fairgrounds within 30 days of the fair, saying proceeds directly support youth exhibitors.

Supporters of hosting outside the fairgrounds or at a later date also spoke. Al Christiansen, who identified himself as a Rusk County resident and taxpayer, criticized what he described as inconsistent county handling of location and zoning requests and urged the board to approve a post-fair date for the event.

Land‑use and wetlands review: Before the fairgrounds discussion, county land-use staff presented a map showing mapped wetlands and an intermittent stream on a property under consideration as an alternative event site near Highway 27 and Dowdy Road. Staff recommended installing exclusion fencing and, if any work occurs near mapped wetlands, silt fencing to prevent runoff. “We came up with a plan that they would put exclusion fence around those sensitive areas, basically keep people out, keep vehicles out,” said land-use staff (identified in the record as Mr. Runstrom). Board members thanked staff for the mitigation plan and noted that any damage to wetlands could result in state DNR enforcement.

Board deliberations and outcome: The first motion, made by Supervisor Moore to allow the event at the fairgrounds on July 26, 2025, was seconded and debated; concerns about the short interval before the fair and about honoring the fair board’s work led to its defeat, 6 yes and 11 no. Later a motion by Supervisor Kudo to allow the event at the fairgrounds only if scheduled at least 30 days after the county fair (the board specified on or after Sept. 10 for 2025) was seconded by Supervisor Dorsinger and passed in a roll call vote, 16 yes, 1 no.

Discussion items the board raised included whether a 30‑day rule should apply to all users of the fairgrounds, how to create an enduring policy to protect the county fair (one supervisor said he will present a resolution on time‑frame protections at a future meeting), and whether fee or contribution requirements should vary by event. Fairgrounds representatives said fair proceeds are regularly reinvested on-site: one fairgrounds representative summarized recent expenditures at about $77,000–$78,000 in upgrades and improvements during the 2021–2024 period.

What the board decided: Formal action recorded in the meeting minutes shows the July 26, 2025 booking was denied, and the board instead approved allowing Bulls, Barrels and Bands to use the fairgrounds in 2025 only if the event is held at least 30 days after the Rusk County Fair (the board specified on or after Sept. 10 for 2025). The board directed staff and committees to consider a longer-term policy on scheduling events close to the county fair.

Looking ahead: Board members asked the Justice, Youth and Extension committee (JYE) to consider a standing time‑buffer policy for future seasons, and one supervisor said he will bring a draft resolution on scheduling protections at the next meeting.