09/09/2026
FINALLY — ENJOY THIS SEGMENT FROM THE RUSK COUNTY EXTENSION COMMITTEE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 2ND, WHEN OUR REQUEST TO RENT OUR PUBLIC FAIRGROUNDS FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2027 WAS DENIED.
We feel it is time to clear up a few things, because some of the statements and concerns raised during this discussion deserve clarification.
In 2025, after being denied use of the Rusk County Fairgrounds multiple times, we refused to give up. We produced our event in the middle of a field without the facilities and infrastructure the Fairgrounds could have provided.
And guess what? The event was a tremendous success.
We sold approximately 1,800 tickets for a one-day event, despite temperatures approaching 100 degrees. We brought people into the area, supported local businesses, entertained families and proved that there is room in Rusk County for another successful Western sporting event.
Even Mr. Kudo acknowledged that he had heard great things about the event.
There had previously been concern that our event could somehow hurt the Fair or the existing rodeo. That simply did not happen. Our event succeeded, and the other established events continued as well.
We returned to the County and requested July 3, 2026, and, to our surprise, that Fairgrounds rental was approved. Unfortunately, circumstances later forced us to cancel our July 3 event.
Now fast-forward to our request for September 4, 2027.
During the discussion surrounding the denial, another supposedly similar event coming to the area was mentioned, along with concern that our event could compete with it. Please see Tom Cudo on the picture looking at another old page of ours relating to an event in Turtle Lake... so funny.....he did this one day prior to the meeting of Sept. 2nd
That raises a legitimate question: What event?
If another event was materially considered when deciding whether a member of the public could rent a publicly owned facility, we believe the public deserves clarity about what that event is and how it affected the decision.
We also want to address the Facebook-location issue one more time.
Our Facebook event location originally showed the Rusk County Fairgrounds because our page had previously been configured for the approved July 3, 2026 event. Our former administrator moved back to Tennessee, and we have limited experience managing some of Facebook's event settings.
It was never our intention to represent that we had already received approval for September 4, 2027.
Once we understood the issue, we corrected it. The Fairgrounds is no longer listed.
What is difficult for us to understand is why a successful event promoter who is willing to rent the facility, bring spectators into the community, work with local businesses and sponsors, and create another attraction for Ladysmith and Rusk County continues to face this level of resistance.
We respect the responsibility of County officials to protect the Fairgrounds, coordinate schedules and make responsible decisions. But we also believe decisions involving a public facility should be consistent, transparent and based on clear standards that apply equally to everyone.
This isn't about trying to hurt the Fair.
This isn't about trying to hurt another rodeo.
This isn't about taking something away from somebody else.
IT'S ABOUT ADDING SOMETHING TO RUSK COUNTY.
More visitors. More tourism. More business for local restaurants, hotels, gas stations and stores. More entertainment. More opportunities for sponsors. And another reason for families to come to Ladysmith.
We proved in 2025 that we don't need the Fairgrounds to produce this event.
But that isn't really the point.
The question is why an event that has already demonstrated that it can attract people to this community shouldn't be given a fair opportunity to rent a public facility when a suitable date is available and reasonable requirements can be met.
We aren't asking for special treatment.
We're asking for a fair opportunity, clear answers and the same consideration that any other organization seeking to use a public facility should receive.
Watch the meeting segment. Listen to what was said. And make up your own mind.
RUSK COUNTY BULL MANIA
SEPTEMBER 4, 2027 — LADYSMITH, WI
COME FOR THE BULLS — STAY FOR THE SPEED!
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgN54qX4u1SY&data=05%7C02%7C%7C862cf3fba4d741a8a6b108df0ea4b042%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639245772629430261%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=XZZ%2FxxRGu5AdnWy1ImTRFJzHSFQlfHKYSVLTkGww47A%3D&reserved=0
