Hotels full, restaurants busy: HS rodeo finals brings surge to Valentine economy

VALENTINE, Neb. - As hundreds of rodeo fans pour into the Sandhills this week for the Nebraska High School Rodeo Finals, the town of Valentine is seeing more than thrilling competition—it's seeing an economic boost.

“We have contestants coming from all over Nebraska and are supporting our local businesses downtown,” said Chelsey Delaney, owner of Heart City Drug. “They’re staying in our hotels. They’re eating at our restaurants.”

Delaney is also showcasing her other business, Glory & Ore Designs, at a booth inside the Cherry County Fairgrounds. The Christian-based company sells custom jewelry and graphic tees.

“This is my favorite thing to do,” Delaney said. “I love designing, and I love having all of the fancies.”

With more than 160 student-athletes competing, the crowds go well beyond the contestants themselves. 

“All of our hotels are booked,” said Jill Joseph-Austin, the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association Secretary. “It’s pretty big because just alone we have 163 contestants, but then those contestants bring in mom, dad, siblings, grandpa, grandma.”

The economic impact is obvious, but Joseph-Austin emphasized the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to pull off an event of this scale.

“People don’t realize what it takes to put an event like this on,” Joseph-Austin said. “A lot of kids and families show up and it’s like, ‘Boom, we’re here to rodeo,’ but it’s been really good for our local kids and contestants because they’ve all pitched in.”

Delaney was part of that behind-the-scenes work, helping organize and prepare. Now that the rodeo is underway, she’s seeing the results firsthand.

“They’re funneling lots of money into Valentine, and we’re so grateful for them coming out and supporting all of our local businesses,” Delaney said.

The Nebraska High School Rodeo Finals will continue through the week, culminating in Saturday’s championship round—set to be televised by News Channel Nebraska.