Lincoln County Rodeo Association increases marketing to draw more people to Merrill

In mid-May, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism presented a $12,750 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant to the Lincoln County Rodeo Association (LCRA) for the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo, enabling the LCRA to expand their marketing radius to attract more spectators to Merrill for this year’s Rodeo. “The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo has drawn travelers to central Wisconsin for more than 30 years,” said Secretary-designee, Anne Sayers. “This grant will help even more families discover this fun opportunity to enjoy Wisconsin’s spirited nature and make lasting memories.” The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo will take place June 10, 11, and 12, 2022, at the Merrill Festival Grounds. The weekend-long event features one daily professional rodeo show, live music, a tractor-pull, food and shopping vendors, and other family-friendly activities. Historically, this volunteer-run event brings more than 10,000 people to Merrill and the surrounding communities, and this year, the LCRA is hoping for even more “Our grant that we applied for and were awarded has enabled our organization to expand our advertising for the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo,” said Theresa Grund, Marketing Director for the Rodeo. “This was used towards digital billboards in Appleton, Green Bay, and west of Wausau. These digital boards also are working through Geo Fencing. This is an additional feature that when traffic goes through the perimeters around our location of billboards, they will receive another ad for our event on their phones or electronic devices – another beneficial tool to bring more spectators to the area through the advertising of our event.” “Additional news coverage and radio coverage was also added to the Appleton and Green Bay area, as well,” she said. The sign company anticipates 172,000 cars will pass by the signs. The campaign launched on May 16 for a full four weeks of advertising to the expanded demographic.

Rodeo growth equals success for Merrill “The continuous growth of our event contributes to added growth of the Merrill community and businesses,” said Grund. As a $17.3 billion industry in Wisconsin that supports more than 157,000 jobs, tourism is crucial to the state’s economic recovery and success, a press release from the Department of Tourism said. JEM grants are just one of the tools in the toolbox for the Department of Tourism to partner with organizations and nonprofits around the state who are using innovation and creativity to bring visitors and dollars to their community. In fiscal year 2021, the Department funded 45 JEM projects, awarding $1,100,000 million statewide. JEM grant funds are available to nonprofit organizations for the promotion of Wisconsin tourism events and destinations. The state can fund up to 75 percent of a project’s first-year advertising and marketing costs and provide support for second- and third-year projects with decreasing amounts for funding until projects become self-sustaining. “This is our 33rd year of bringing professional Rodeo to the Merrill and Central Wisconsin area,” Grund said. “We are evolving bigger each year. Our gates have offered 10,000 spectators to enjoy the rodeo and the Merrill community over the three-day weekend each June. Our event is traditionally the second weekend of June and people already start knowing how to plan the kick off to their summer activities. It is always a pleasure to see returning faces and rewarding to meet the many new ones. We have had spectators from outside the state of Wisconsin to watch our professional rodeo, as well as many throughout the state. The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo has become a household name when summer plans are being made.” “We look forward to further expanding our advertising direction in the following years to come,” she added.

Rodeo excitement The LCRA is excited to be bringing back the tried-and-true and also adding new things. “We will have a Jumbotron in our arena this year – this is a big screen that lets you watch the events closer and replays also,” Grund said. “We are very excited with the addition to our arena.” The Rodeo City Riders Drill Team will perform over the weekend, as well. Friday will be Military Appreciation Night, with live music after the performance with The Jerry Schmidt Band in the beer tent, food and merchandise vendors, and face painting for the kids. Saturday features an all day antique tractor pull, and the performance for Tough Enough to Wear Pink, “So wear your pink attire,” Grund said. “Let’s see the stand aglow of pink. We also have Tough Enough to Wear Pink attire for sale in the office tent if needed.” The Jerry Schmidt Band will be in the beer tent again, and there will be food and merchandise vendors and face painting again for the kids. Sunday is billed as Family Day. The first 100 children through the gates will get a free cowboy hat and there will be free face painting for the kids again. Queen coronation at noon, watch the performance, and food and merchandise vendors. There is “Something for everyone!” at the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo, Grund said.

Get rodeo tickets early Friday and Saturday gates open at 5:00 p.m. with performances at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday gates open at 11:00, the coronation of the Rodeo Queen will be at 12:00 noon, and the rodeo performance will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale online at: wrpr.org Advance tickets are $14.00 and children under 5 are free, and advance ticket pricing is ONLY available online. Weekend passes also offer cost savings, so attendees can enjoy a full three days of professional rodeo. And Sunday Family Day offers: “Buy 5 or more tickets and receive 20% off” but that is available ONLINE ONLY, not at the gate for the Sunday performance. Online ticket sales close on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at midnight, so be sure to buy tickets in advance online. Seats are filling up! Locally, tickets are also available at the Merrill Chamber and Tomahawk Chamber Offices as well as Brickner’s Park City of Merrill.

The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to inspire travelers to visit Wisconsin. Because we believe in the power of exploration and travel, we work to market the state as a premier travel destination. By executing industry-leading marketing programs and establishing strategic partnerships, the Department plays a significant role in generating greater economic impact for Wisconsin through tourism. Learn more at industry.travelwisconsin.com.

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