CALLING ALL COWGIRLS

Time is drawing near for this years Rodeo Queen Contest, with only four weeks until the deadline of June 27 th to enter. The contest has taken on a new look as well as a new name. Montana State Fair is making plans to celebrate 75 years of rodeo history with the Big Sky ProRodeo Roundup August 2 - 5. This year's rodeo, held during the Montana State Fair is being presented by Big R Stores. With tripled purse monies and the nation's top cowboys competing on some of the best stock in rodeo business the rodeo promises to be electrifying. The Big Sky Pro Rodeo contest will be held during all of the excitement of the PRCA Rodeo and the State Fair, August 2, 3, 4 & 5 th . In its third year the contest has brought an element of fun to the State Fair. Girls ages 8 - 22 will compete for three titles; Queen, Princess and Little Miss during the three and 1/2 day schedule which will be packed full of exciting competitions, many of which are open and free to the public.

On Wednesday afternoon the competition begins with horsemanship patterns as well as horsemanship interviews at the Montana Expo Park Arena which will be free to the public. Thursday will find the girls giving speeches related to the State Fair's 75 th Diamond Anniversary theme "As Time Goes By - 75 years" as well as answering impromptu questions. The speech competition will be held on the stage in the park and is free to public as well. On Friday the glitter of Rodeo Queen Pageantry will be at its peak with the girls modeling their own western elegance as well as beautiful western wear from the pageants modeling sponsor, Big R. Following this the crowd will be entertained by a group dance from the 1931 hit song " I Am An Old Cowman by Bing Crosby". After which they will have personal interviews and be photographed by professional photographer John Metcalf from Centennial Portraits for the photogenic award. The finale will take place on Saturday afternoon where our new 2006 Miss Big Sky Pro Rodeo Queen, Princess and Little Miss will be crowned.

Miss Big Sky Pro Rodeo Queen, Princess and Little Miss symbolize the young women of the great state of Montana who wish to further promote the sport of rodeo, while portraying excellence in sportsmanship, high morals and ethical characteristics. They understand the sport of rodeo and the athletes that participate in this professional sport and enjoy sharing their knowledge with others. They will serve as a representative for the largest outdoor rodeo under the Big Sky at the same time as being an ambassador for the western way of life that the great state of Montana has to offer. The experience of being Miss Big Sky Pro Rodeo Queen, Princess and Little Miss will offer opportunities and experiences of a lifetime while laying the foundation for her future. These young women are leaders in their community. They love horses, people, rodeo and all that they represent.

Please join us to cheer on the girls as they smile their best smiles and compete at the Miss Big Sky ProRodeo Contest. It promises to be very exhilarating. For more information regarding this contest please contact Anne RysSikora, 1465 Valley Wind Lane , Missoula , MT 59804 ; 406-542-3806; mgr@montana.com