87th Dayton, Iowa Rodeo: A Labor Day weekend tradition since 1937
by Gretchen Kirchmann
Dayton, Iowa’s population tumbles around 772 for 51 weeks of the year. On Labor Day weekend it all changes with over ten thousand people attending the PRCA rodeo celebration. The town is located in northern Iowa off Highway 175 and about 30 miles west of Interstate 35 at the Ellsworth, Iowa exit. Dayton showcases the very essence of rural citizens pulling together to preserve its heritage, and to keep the town alive. 
The Dayton Rodeo is central to the town’s identity. Despite the economic changes and challenges faced over the years, Dayton remains a testament to the enduring spirit of small-town America and the connection to agriculture. The only bar closed a few years ago but Shed 37 during rodeo weekend comes alive with cold beer and live music.
“Dayton is a unique setting,” said Clayton Bills, the vice chairman of the rodeo committee and organizer of Shed 37. “We have that awesome beautiful hill that is a natural amphitheater.” The steep hill adds a special charm to the rodeo, making it a memorable experience for attendees taking the stairs all the way to the top or walking down to find their seat. The top of the hill showcases carnival rides, food trucks, western vendors and the main entrance for the rodeo. Fans can walk down wooden steps to tiered seating options with bleachers or bring their own chair. The bottom of the hill is packed with campers, trailers and rodeo contestant rigs.
Bills, is quick to credit and highlight the collaborative effort behind the rodeo. “We have 10 people on the Dayton Rodeo Celebration Committee—five from the Saddle Club and five from the Community Club. The Celebration Committee is formed to bring it all together. The Community Club handles vending and concessions, while the Saddle Club manages things at the bottom of the hill,” he stated.
The success of the rodeo is due to dedicated volunteers like Gary Schlief, who has spent a decade on the committee. “Super Gary does a lot of behind-the-scenes work,” Bills noted. “He brings in his own equipment and contributes greatly to the smooth running of the event.”
The rodeo serves as a critical fundraiser for both the Saddle Club and the Community Club. “The rodeo on Labor Day is the main fundraiser for both clubs,” Bills explained. “Labor Day weekend keeps this town running.” He also pointed out the significance of the event in a town that has seen its share of economic challenges. Local organizations also use rodeo week to help them fundraise. Members of the junior class were parking vehicles to help raise funds for their 2025 prom. Girl Scouts were selling popcorn at the entrance and handing out free rodeo programs. The United Methodist Church made breakfast burritos and handed them out for a free will donation along the parade route on Labor Day. Multiple parade floats were advertising their community outreach too.
A Personal Connection
For Bills, the rodeo is more than just a local event; it’s a deeply personal tradition. “As a past president of the Saddle Club and having grown up watching my dad be the president of the rodeo, it’s meaningful to give back to the community that raised me,” he said. “I really enjoy this rodeo. It means a lot to me after 87 years.”
Reflecting on the rodeo’s legacy, Bills noted, “I looked at the past generations before me and what they did. I’m a big believer in change, and the more we evolve, the better we can be. We want to be the best and offer the best to the cowboys, cowgirls, and people on the hill. Those are the most important people to keep this going year in and year out.”
A Celebration of Tradition
The opening pageantry of the rodeo showcases the local drill team performing, volunteers carrying sponsor flags and family traditions including Marilyn Anderson, a cherished local figure, singing. “Marilyn started singing the national anthem 50 years ago on Monday (Labor Day),” Bills shared. “Ten years ago, her daughter Alayna (Longhorn) and her granddaughters (Lillie and Lydia Longhorn) joined her. Currently, her granddaughter Lillie is Miss Rodeo Iowa.” The matriarch of the family officially passed the torch giving her last performance at the Dayton Rodeo on Monday September 1, 2024.
The blend of a town’s tradition and community spirit ensures that it will remain a cherished fixture in Iowa’s cultural landscape. The 2024 ProRodeo results can be found on www.prorodeo.com