Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo Committee

Trail Boss: Butch Lindley & Sherman Berg

Celebrating more than 62 years, the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo has a long-standing tradition for being the largest indoor rodeo in Nebraska. Tracing its roots back to 1947, the rodeo has attracted many of the world’s best rodeo cowboys and entertainers. Now with the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo being home to the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour Omaha Round of the Ariat Playoffs the rodeo committee works hard to produce a top notch event like nothing else you’ll see. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo is encouraged to call 402 554-9600 ext. 100 or fill out a volunteer form.

Ak-Sar-Ben Buyers Club

Trail Boss: Mr. Ken Pohlman

The Ak-Sar-Ben Buyers Club (ABC) is dedicated to raising funds for the Livestock Auction during the Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Stock Show at the Purple Ribbon Auction. The Champions and Purple Award winners are auctioned to the highest bidder. Your pledge or participation will help insure the future education of young people interested in Agriculture. The ABC Club organizes the Purple Ribbon Auction, which is the grand finale event, and promotes it to prospective bidders in order to support its motto: "Good people doing good things for good kids." In 2009 a total of $160,000 was raised at the Auction. All monies go directly to the exhibitors.

ABC contributions are made to the Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and are eligible for tax deduction. Anyone interested in participating in the Ak-Sar-Ben Buyers Club is encouraged to call 402 554-9600 ext. 100 or fill out a volunteer form.

Rough ‘N Ready Exceptional Rodeo Committee

Trail Boss: Craig Korkow

Numerous Rodeo contestants showed up for the 2007 Rough ‘N Ready Exceptional Rodeo which pairs a disabled child with a PRCA cowboy or WPRA cowgirl in a variety of rodeo-type events, including stick horse races, dummy roping, barrel riding and a trip around the arena on horseback. Supported by Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Roundup the mission behind it is to put a smile on the face of every child. Individuals interested in participating or volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 100 or fill out a volunteer form.

Buckaroo Bash Committee

Trail Boss: 

Buckaroo Bash was created to introduce new fans to the sport of rodeo and raises money for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (JCCF), while also generating funding for River City Roundup and to send underprivileged youths to the Rodeo. JCCF was created in 1989 by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Justin Boot Company to aid rodeo professionals and their families following a severe injury.

A kick-off to Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show, the event includes western activities such as mechanical bull-riding, steer-roping, and a Cow Pattie bingo toss. During a dinner, live and silent auctions are conducted and the evening concludes with live music provided. Individuals interested in attending or volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

Ak-Sar-Ben BBQ Contest

Trail Boss: Tom and Char Manhart

The second annual Ak-Sar-Ben BBQ Contest will be held in conjunction with Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Stock Show & Rodeo at the Qwest Center Omaha in Lot D. The Contest will feature a People's Choice Awards on Friday Evening were attendees make a donation to the 4-H Scholarship Fund and taste ribs from over 40 BBQ Chefs, the fun starts at 6:00 p.m.  Individuals interested in attending or volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

Heritage Parade Committee

Trail Boss: Tom Jensen

Held on the Saturday of ARCR the Parade runs through downtown Omaha ending in front of the Qwest Center this parade has long been a part of Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show. Narrated by local radio personalities along the route you won’t miss a thing. Entrants are encouraged to embrace the theme in their designs, floats and entries.

Individuals interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

ARCR Hospitality Committee

Trail Boss:

The Hospitality Committee extends a warm welcome to guests as they enter and move about the grounds. It is the goal of the Hospitality Committee to ensure that all guests enjoy their experience as much as possible. This is accomplished by being highly visible, extremely helpful and very approachable. The committee supports these efforts by providing attendees with up-to-date information, schedules, maps as well as aiding guests in locating their destinations, ATM machines, lost family members and more. It is the responsibility of the committee to prevent any guest from leaving the grounds unhappy or disappointed whenever possible. Individuals interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

Rodeo Hospitality Committee

Trail Boss: Robb Spence

The Hospitality Committee extends a warm welcome to the PRCA cowboys who are competing in the Rodeo at Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show. This committee provides meals to the cowboys and allows them to enjoy their experience as much as possible. Individuals interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

Medical Team

Trail Boss: Dr. Bill Singer

The Medical Committee consists of dedicated volunteers from the medical profession who lend their time and expertise to the health, well being and enjoyment of rodeo contestants, volunteers, staff and patrons of Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show.  Individuals interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 100 or fill out a volunteer form.

Merchandise Committee

Trail Boss:

The Merchandise Committee is responsible for researching and purchasing the souvenir products that will be emblazoned with the Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show. This official merchandise is used to display and promote the show nationally on items such as koozies, coffee cups, t-shirts, vests, sweatshirts, pants hats and jackets. They also man the merchandise booths throughout the grounds which are open during the show to provide the public with this merchandise commemorating the show each year. Proceeds benefit the Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show projects. Individuals interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

ARCR Trail Ride Committee

Trail Bosses: Julie Nelson, Jackie Shellberg, JoAnn Malchow, Tammy Stolpe and Martin Kluethe

The Trail Ride Committee plans and carries out the Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show Trail Rides. More than 1,000 riders give up the comforts of home and take to the open road on horseback and in wagons to ride to the ARCR. There are three rides: Western Nebraska Cowboy Capital Trail Ride, Northeast Nebraska Trail Ride, and the Iowa Trail Ride which travel across both Nebraska and Iowa promoting ARCR and the equestrian lifestyle. The trail riders make their way to Omaha, Nebraska to help kick-off the activities of Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show. Individuals interested in riding or volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

School Tours Committee

Trail Boss: Marci Carroll

The School Tours Committee headed up by the Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office offers a fun and educational program designed for young people to learn about rodeo, livestock and the important role agriculture plays in the economy. Third and fourth grade students are guided around Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show by guides and get a taste of Nebraska heritage and witness first-hand the fun and excitement offered at ARCR. Individuals interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

Rodeo Ticket Committee

Trail Boss: Beth Greiner

The responsibility of helping fill the Sherman Berg Arena at the Qwest Center Omaha with rodeo fans is the goal of the Rodeo Ticket Committee. The committee actively solicits new customers, both corporate and individual, with a variety of group and season ticket packages. Individuals interested in joining the ticket committee are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 101 or fill out a volunteer form.

Rodeo Program Committee

Trail Boss: Erin Sudmann

The Rodeo Program Committee is responsible for selling advertisements in the souvenir program. The program is a complete and comprehensive information source on the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo, the Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Stock Show, and the city of Omaha. It provides attendees with information on the weekly events and activities, details and rodeo information not found anywhere else. Individuals interested in joining the rodeo program committee are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 100 or fill out a volunteer form.

PR & Marketing Committee

Trail Boss: Beth Greiner

The committee is acts as a liaison to the local media outlets encouraging their participation in Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show. They are also actively involved in handing out material for the entire event including ticket sale information, press releases and working in the rodeo press room each night of the rodeo. Individuals interested in joining the committee are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 101 or fill out a volunteer form.

Operations Committee

Trail Boss: John Grasmick

The Operations Committee was formed to supervise the operations and maintenance of the rodeo arena and livestock show during Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show. Whether it's hauling the dirt flooring into the arena, repairing plumbing and fencing, installing signs or setting up stages and hauling off trash, this committee does it all. Individuals interested in joining the committee are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Stock Show Committee

Trail Boss: Christy Farnstrom

The Annual Ak-Sar-Ben Stock Show is one of the largest 4-H shows in the country. Run by county extension educators from over a nine state region, the show is always looking for interested volunteers to help out in all areas including check-in, hospitality, floor supervisors and arena assistance. Individuals interested in joining the committee are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 111 or fill out a volunteer form.

ARCR Trading Post Committee

Trail Boss: Kay Telford

With over 14,000 square feet of inside exhibit space the ARCR Trading Post is a perfect place for vendors to exhibit and sell their goods. The committee assists with check-in, booth placement and vendor hospitality relations. Individuals interested in joining the committee are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.

Volunteers

Trail Boss: ARCR Event Coordinator

Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo & Stock Show has always provided free, educational and entertaining exhibits for families and children. Children of all ages will enjoy Giddy-Up Gulch, a western town complete with activities for cowboys & cowgirls, the AgVentureland Farm, Douglas County Fair exhibits along with many other exciting activities. Individuals interested in volunteering are encouraged to call (402) 554-9600 ext. 104 or fill out a volunteer form.