The Star Valley Search and Rescue Ranch Rodeo will take place Saturday July 3rd at 7 PM at the Lincoln County Fair Main Arena to help raise funds for the group.

Commander of Star Valley Search & Rescue Corey Hepworth says it is the main source of funding it does each year.

“The money we raise for the rodeo goes towards training and equipment,” Hepworth said. “Updating some outdated equipment and giving our members training.”

He says even recently some members went through a ropes class, a swift water class, and boat operators class. This also includes doing a lot of “in-house” training as well.

“Things that we need,” Hepworth said.

He says the group took over the Ted Linford Memorial Rodeo about 15 years ago. It was a two-day event, but he says it just got a little difficult to spread out the rodeo more than one day. He says it also will help other groups as the cheerleaders will be running concessions.

He also says that in the fall it sends out a donation letter and if people are interested they can also donate that way. Another way is on hunting licenses, ORV forms, and snow machine tags have a spot you can donate as well.

“That goes to a state fund,” Hepworth said on the state forms. “That reimburses all the state’s search and rescue units from the cost of the missions and stuff.”

He says there will be jackpot roping, stock saddle bronc, wild cow milking, and some new events it hopes to feature at the rodeo. This will include team events like hide racing and a buddy barrel pickup.

Hepworth says it is important the public knows that while a lot of missions do include going into the back country to help people, that is not all they are called to do. Sometimes it gets calls from the Sheriff’s Department to come and help search for a missing child and such.