IOWA CITY— The Family Rodeo returned to the Johnson County Fair after missing last year due to the pandemic with an evening of barrel racing, bull riding, and mutton busting. The event, put on by Sandburr Rodeo Productions, Inc. of Lisbon, was the featured entertainment for Wednesday, July 28, which was Veterans Day at the Fair. The rodeo preceded presentation of the colors by the American Legion Color Guard, and fireworks to close out the 2021 4-H and FFA Fair.
The rodeo has been controversial with local animal rights activists petitioning the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to withhold funding for the Fair in a bid to eliminate the popular event.
Other entertainment throughout the fair included, a garden tractor pull, local band Dogs on Skis, a display by the Classy Chassy Car Club, and the annual Buffalo Wing Eating Contest.
A young boy slips off the back of a sheep during the mutton busting event Wednesday, July 28, during the Family Rodeo held at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.