[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 133 (Friday, August 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                 60TH ANNUAL HELMVILLE LABOR DAY RODEO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RYAN K. ZINKE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 23, 2024

  Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Helmville Labor 
Day Rodeo for their 60th year old operation, The Helmville Rodeo is 
commonly called ``the biggest little rodeo in Montana,'' drawing folks 
from all over the state to a town of less than 50 people to enjoy the 
events and festivities.
  Helmville has been around since Irish immigrants first made their way 
to the Big Sky, chasing fortune in the Gold Rush. Some of the first 
families to settle in Helmville back in the 1860s still live and work 
there. The ranches in the valley are passed down from generation to 
generation.
  Helmville is a classic Montana town, with one long road going through 
the middle, an old western bar on the side named the ``Copper Queen,'' 
and a school where several grades are taught at the same time. The kind 
of the place where you don't just know your neighbors by name but the 
whole town. It is nestled deep in a beautiful valley in the Garnet 
Mountain Range, the kind of gem that is scattered all around Montana.
  Once a year, Helmville is flooded with rodeo enjoyers from around the 
State. The Helmville Labor Day Rodeo is a major event in the area and 
has delivered on the promise of summer fun for 60 years now. Two days 
of bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling, mutton bustin' and many 
other events are more than enough of a draw for Montanans to drive the 
hours that it takes to get from one small town to another. It is the 
last rodeo of the season for the Northern Rodeo Association, so top 
riders all show up to impress the crowds and try to score points to 
make it to the post season. The burgers or barbeque could draw any 
redblooded American to the scenic valley, but the one-of-a-kind events 
keep them there for the long haul. Whether it is trying to find the cow 
in a herd of steers at the wild cow milking event or the community 
dance, there is no shortage of western fun to remind us of what rural 
life is all about.
  Don't mistake the size of the town for the heart that is put into the 
event. Folks in Helmville are proud of the show they put on and anyone 
who has attended would attest to that. The rodeo club works year-round 
organizing the event, but as the date grows closer, the whole community 
comes together to pitch in and be ready on Labor Day weekend. 60 years 
is a lifetime of bringing joy, good sport, and great community to 
Western Montana. As it has grown from a ranch-led rodeo to a 
professional event, it has never lost its character.
  Mr. Speaker, and my esteemed colleagues, I ask that you join me in 
congratulating the Helmville Rodeo on their 60th year of hosting a 
legendary Labor Day Rodeo. Bravo Zulu.

                          ____________________