Every year for three decades now, the Hamel Rodeo's been attracting thousands of people to watch professional cowboys from all over the United States as they rope, ride and compete for four July evenings.

The 30th annual Hamel Rodeo gets underway Thursday and again is expected to attract about 17,000 people to daily events through Sunday.

The rodeo will host its fifth annual "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night on Thursday, when rodeo fans, competitors and others are asked to wear pink to help raise money to fight breast cancer.

For every fan at the rodeo that night, $1 will be split between two causes: Mammograms for uninsured women at the Buffalo Hospital and breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Pink bandannas will be handed out to the first 1,000 people who come to the rodeo Thursday evening. A silent auction also will be held featuring things pink as well as collectable items.

Last year the rodeo raised $12,000 for the Buffalo Hospital Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

To donate to the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign, call 763-479-6988.

And for more information on the rodeo, go to www.hamelrodeo.org or call 763-478-6611.

STAFF REPORT