VALENTINE, Neb. – After more than two decades, the Nebraska High School Rodeo Finals are making a return to Valentine. The small Sandhills town will host the state’s top high school rodeo athletes in 2025 and 2026, bringing hundreds of visitors to the area.

For much of the past 20 years, the finals have been held in Hastings, but in June, Valentine will take the reins as the host city. Cherry County Ag Society President Duane Witte said preparations are already underway to ensure the fairgrounds are rodeo-ready.

“We’ve put in some new electrical hookups, and we’re working on getting water to them. We’ve also changed our roping boxes in the arena,” Witte said. “Our goal is to have one of the best finals Nebraska has seen in a while.”

During an emergency meeting on Wednesday to talk about the finals, the Ag Society also voted to have plans drawn up for a new bathhouse and improve Wi-Fi.

Nebraska High School Rodeo Association Secretary Jill Joseph-Austin remembers when Valentine last hosted the event.

“It was fun because the cowboys who came to town would cruise Main Street and mingle with the local kids. Then those kids would come out and watch them compete over the weekend,” Joseph-Austin said.

The rodeo isn’t just about competition—it’s expected to be an economic boost for Valentine as well.

“We bring over 180 student contestants alone, and then that brings in mom, dad, siblings, grandpa and grandma—all of those people come to our community to watch,” Joseph-Austin said.

The Nebraska High School Rodeo Association is seeking volunteers to help with the event. Those interested can contact Joseph-Austin at [email protected].