The rodeo is sponsored by the Firth FFA alumni. All proceeds go to local FFA and 4H programs. Little Buckaroo Rodeo History
In 1965, Harold Brewington & Ed Hall went to St. Anthony & happened to attend a youth rodeo. Later they traveled back to St. Anthony to participate in a wagon train trail ride. On that trip, the idea to have a youth rodeo in Firth, Idaho was born. The first Little Buckaroo Rodeo was held in 1965 at the Firth football field, where Firth High School stands today. The makeshift arena was made up of snow fence. Mutt Rose & Ted Allan were contracted to provide chutes, horses, & mules. Local folks came up with additional stock, and the event was underway! Community youth were solicited to be Rodeo Stars! Harold Brewington, Larry Brower , Ed Hall, & Bob Wetherbee signed the first contract to make the rodeo happen. They were members of Riverview Grange # 243, so the Grange was the original sponsor, along with support from the City of Firth. Instrumental Grange members were Harold & Leah Brewington, Ed & Edna Hall, Larry & Sarah Brower, Bob & Lou Wetherbee, Glen & Betty Cederberg, and Lloyd & Marlene Rogers. Later years included Laraine Brower Shafer, John & Vicki Davidson, Carol & Fred Mundt, Lena Olsen, John Van Eps, Kathy Van Eps, Charlene McNeely Lent, Terry McNeely, Kay & Fern Brown & many others. Our Firth Merchants, City of Firth, and other local Merchants continue to support & help us improve the event for many years to come. The 3rd year the Grange moved the rodeo to the Riverview Arena and built the original wooden chutes & arena. The Grange controlled the reigns of the rodeo until 1996, when the Firth FFA Alumni Assn. was asked to help. The Alumni leased the Rodeo from the Grange from 1997 through 2002. On Jan. 21, 2003, the Firth FFA Alumni Assn. purchased the rodeo from the Grange. Several floods from the river took its toll on the Riverview Arena facilities. In 2007 the Firth FFA Alumni repositioned & built the metal center load chutes and arena we use today. In 2012 the number increased to over 400 contestants that sign up for the opportunity to rodeo. Cowboys & Cowgirls ride in from all over southeastern Idaho, and many find a trail in from out of state. Family reunions are planned around the rodeo, and many are registering 3rd generation Little Buckaroo Rodeo participants. They all go home Rodeo Champions with their shiny, new belt buckle.
