National rodeo event returns to Omaha

Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Roundup (ARCR) will draw national attention as it hosts the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour- Omaha Round of the Ariat Playoffs September 25-27, 2008 at the Qwest Center. Omaha will mark the third playoff spot for cowboy contestants offering $400,000 in prize money and four performances to be aired on Fox Sports Net.

The first round will begin on Thursday, September 25 where twelve cowboys in each event will face off. Adding to the rodeo excitement, will be Rodney Atkins, six time Academy of Country Music nominee. Fan favorite country anthems of Atkins include “If You’re Going Through Hell,”“Cleaning This Gun,” “Watching You” and “These are My People.”

Friday, September 26th is the second rodeo round where twelve in each event will again compete with only the top eight scoring contestants in each event advancing to the Saturday, September 27 performance. Following the rodeo will be Nebraska- grown boy Larry the Cable Guy with his Qwest Center debut. Known best for his comedic performance on “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” and his trademark line “Get R’ Done,” his appearance at ARCR will be legendary.

From the top eight competing in the first round of the Saturday, September 27th rodeo only the top four contestants in each event will advance to the Championship round later that evening. Once the Championship cups are presented a concert will close out this unique rodeo experience.

Tickets include both the rodeo and concert value and will go on sale July 12, 2008. Interested fans can contact the ARCR office at 402.554.9600 prior to July 12 to reserve season or group packages. Prices start as low as $17 and each rodeo performance will include a mutton bustin’ event.

The Omaha Round of the Ariat Playoffs is part of the culmination of year long competition amongst the cowboys of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. After the end of a grueling 26 series Tour rodeo gauntlet, the top 22 contestants in each event will advance to the Playoff Series, which begin in Caldwell, ID August 12-16. They will be joined by event champions from the 2008 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, who were awarded berths in the Playoff Series as “Wild Cards.”

Following Caldwell’s fiver performances, the top 22 contestants in each event in the overall Tour standings, along with Caldwell’s event champions and the DNCFR Wild Cards, move on to the Puyallup (Wash.) Fair & ProRodeo, Sept. 5-7. After duking it out during Puyallup’s five performances, the Playoff Series field will be cut to the top 12 contestants based on the overall Tour standings who will advance to Omaha for Playoff Three.

After three performances in Omaha, Sept. 25-27, the top 10 contestants in each event advance to the Championship of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour, which will be held in early November in Dallas. The Tour Championship will conclude with three performances Nov. 7-9, with the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour champions being crowned.

For more information on other ARCR events, please contact the RCR offices at (402) 554-9600 or visit the website at www.rivercityroundup.org. Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Roundup is a family celebration of the regions heritage. It is managed by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation which has been a sponsor of the PRCA sanctioned Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo in Omaha for 61 years. The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation was established in 1895 with a mission of building a more prosperous heartland where communities can flourish and every child can succeed.