Ted and Sue Thompson, Sidney, Iowa, have been selected to be the 2024 Sidney Iowa Rodeo Grand Marshals. (Submitted photo)

Sue and Ted Thompson, Sidney, Iowa, have been selected to be the 2024 Sidney Iowa Rodeo Grand Marshals.

Ted was born in Elmo, Missouri, and later attended Fremont-Mills Schools, where he graduated in 1973. His parents were Theodore and Virginia Thompson. He had two sisters and one brother. His life occupation was a well driller for the Corps of Engineers, which allowed him to travel throughout the United States and internationally.

Ted attended the Sidney Rodeo at the age of five, ushered in the sixties, and worked on the north side grandstands after Randy Forney asked him to help. Now, he is the person in charge of those grandstands. They sell comfort seats, paint the seats yearly, clean up, direct people to their seats, and assist physically and mentally challenged people who attend the rodeo. Don Hill got Ted started in his love for rodeo by going to Little Britches rodeos, which Don judged. Ted even tried riding. Mostly, he misses the entertainers, the Methodist Church stand, Frosty Malts, carnival draglines, and a screen door on the hospital. Something Ted looks forward to is seeing fans each year, some that come every year, and meeting new ones who come for the first time.

Sue was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Her parents were Bob and Edna Baker. She attended school in Weeping Water, Nebraska, and graduated in 1973 from Nemaha Valley in Cook, Nebraska. She has six sisters and one brother. She has been blessed with two sons, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. For 10 years, she worked as a supervisor at the American Meter plant in Nebraska City, then did daycare for about 15 years. Her love for rodeo began in 1981 when she took her son and his friend to the Sidney Rodeo for the first time. As a real rodeo fan, she not only attended the Sidney Rodeo, but many area rodeos. Last year, she sold 100-year memorabilia and helped Ted with various grandstand duties. Sue remembers the entertainers, the Methodist Church stand where they enjoyed the Maid-Rites and pies, and watching her son ride a mechanical bull. The grand entry and the Two County Dusters are her favorite events. Today, two of her granddaughters, Shelby and Cheyenne, help paint and sell comfort seats and programs. Sue enjoys seeing friends every year at the Sidney Rodeo.

The 2024 Sidney Iowa Rodeo will be held July 30 through August 3 at 8:00 p.m. each evening. For more information or tickets, call 712-374-2695. Tickets are $20 – $30 and may also be ordered at www.sidneyiowarodeo.com. Parking opens at 5:00 p.m. and arena gates open at 6:00 p.m.

The Sidney Rodeo Queen Contest is prior to the first performance on Tuesday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sidney Rodeo arena.

The Fremont County History Center and Iowa’s Championship Rodeo Museum, located at 609 Cass Street, will be open Rodeo Week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for all visitors to experience the history of Fremont County as well as Sidney Rodeo and its 101 year history.

Sidney Rodeo Days will be held around the town square Saturday, August 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They will start with a free-will pancake feed. Be a part of the fun family activities and stay for the rodeo parade that begins at 4:30 p.m.