MANAWA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Work to rebuild the Manawa Dam, which partially collapsed on July 5 of last year due to devastating flooding, is at a standstill.
Manawa Mayor Mike Frazier says the city just learned it will not be receiving any state or federal funding to replace the dam.
Back in February, crews began to restore the shoreline that failed when heavy rainfall sent water all over the city — forcing evacuations and emergency rescues.
That flooding led to the cancellation of the 2024 Mid-Western Rodeo in Manawa. It was only the second time in the more than 60-year history of the event that the shows were called off. The other was 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But now, there’s udder excitement in Manawa ahead of the 67th annual Mid-Western Rodeo. Store fronts are decorated. Businesses are adding staff.
The rodeo’s return is nothing but good news for locals.
“I heard people talking about it, definitely. I know when I went to get tickets for it. a lot of tickets are sold out. so it looks like there will be a lot of people there,” said Zoe Krueger, an employees at Linda Mae’s.
Down at the rodeo grounds, it’s crunch week.
Final preparations are underway as hundreds of contestants and thousands of spectators are expected. Crews have been working on the grounds since April, and now, the load-in has begun.
According to Annette Ziebell, one of the event co-chairs, “Beer, soda has all come in. Our food is coming in. Our ice trailers are coming in. We have our announcer coming in tonight. Our clown is already here, he came in last night. Our stock comes in tomorrow night and then it’s going to be the influx of all of the contests.”
Hundreds of volunteers donate their time to help make the rodeo possible. They park cars, clean bathrooms, usher spectators and work the food and beverage stands.
The event isn’t just about what happens in the ring; it’s a benefit to the town and several local organizations, too.
“We are so excited. It is a huge hit each year to our community. We have a lot of different organizations that come here as their fundraisers. Without having that income last year, it really impacted them. So they are all pumped and ready to go,” said Ziebell.
After flooding ruined last year’s rodeo, event co-chair Rachel Holzschuh said, “This is our comeback year. I feel it. It’s our comeback year. I’m so excited to see everybody in the stands. I’m so excited to see the contestants come back. Last year, when we had to evacuate, we had so many contestants ask, ‘Are you okay, are you okay?’ And I just want to prove to them that we’re okay.”
The rodeo gates open at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with events running through Saturday night.
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