The Hillsdale County Fair, running Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, is bringing southwestern American culture to the Midwest with the TK Pro Rodeo.
Tyler Kijac, the founder of TK Pro Rodeo, said that his rodeo company will bring all the classic rodeo attractions to Hillsdale Sept. 30.
“There’s a lot of rodeos around the state to attend but we are one of the only authentic rodeo companies,” Kijac said. “We are from Oklahoma and a lot of our riders are from Oklahoma and Texas, which people don’t normally get to see around at normal county fairs.”
Based out of Jay, Oklahoma, Kijac’s rodeo company travels around the country bringing rodeo attractions to every state, according to its website. The company has been voted the Stock Contractor of the year for the last three consecutive years.
“We show all the traditional rodeo events, it’s not just bull riding and barrel racing, we’ve got top notch bull fighters and some of the best livestock in the United States. There’s not very many firms that can say the same — not any in this region anyway.”
Senior Maria Adamow has attended the rodeo at the Hillsdale County Fair every year since starting at Hillsdale.
“I’m from rural Pennsylvania, and there are lots of rodeos over there, and so it kind of reminds me of home,” Adamow said. “Overall, the fair is connecting us college students to the town community, which is something that I feel like we don’t get access to a lot. It’s a great place to see what’s going on in the greater community and in the rural agricultural world as a whole.”
Boasting a family-friendly event with skilled riders and stock, TK Pro Rodeo is in the business to entertain.
“A lot of people might remember the movie from a few years ago with Glen Powell, ‘Twisters,’” Kijac said. “That was our livestock, and I taught Glen Powell how to ride a horse. That production in that movie is the same one we will be producing at the rodeo in Hillsdale.”
TK Pro Rodeo will feature a full production including bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer tying, and more.
“Rodeo’s are just super entertaining as a whole so I love going back,” Adamow said.
