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Townsend Residents Turn Out For Rodeo Parade
Author: Matt Nelson, contributing writer

Townsend Residents Turn Out for Rodeo Parade

Matt Nelson

The rodeo parade was held on Sunday, August 10th, along Broadway. Leading the parade was the Cory Bird family, including their kids who had participated in the children’s rodeo on Thursday, August 7th, at the Broadwater Fair and Rodeo. Next came the Grand Parade Marshal, Don Eva, and his wife Patty. The highlight of the parade was the appearance of Taylor Cartwright, who recently became the Montana High School Rodeo Association 2025 Queen. Congratulations, Taylor, well deserved!

First place entry winners for floats were the Townsend Wrestlers, with Radersburg Rattlers 4-H Club winning second place. US Forest Service Smokey the Bear won third place, according to Parade Coordinator Kathy Toombs.

Well known auctioneer Tex Pate led a riderless horse in honor of Bob Masolo, who died a few months ago. Bob was a big leader in the Townsend Rodeo Club. Tex won 1st place in the Cowboys Leading Animals division. The Bird family on horses was 2nd, and Mobile Animal Services came in 3rd place. Townsend Mercantile placed 1st in the Commercial division and Farmers Market was in 2nd place. Billings Clinic Broadwater came in 3rd.

A few tractors were also in the parade, including Jim Beck’s red Antique, which won 1st in the Antiques category. 2nd place went to Mackenzie Truesdell. Near the end of the parade, employees of the Billings Clinic Broadwater walked with their van driven by CEO Justin Tiffany.

The Bozeman Saddle-ites performed as an equestrian drill team entry. Following them several cute little girls walked behind a Honey Hives Academy ATV, and next came some other cute kids in the back of a pickup, in support of the Bozeman Saddle-ites. Their entry was sponsored by Stockman Bank and Valor of the Valley of Bozeman.

Always dependable, the American Legion Post 42 team proudly displayed the U.S. Flag, the Montana Flag, and the American Legion flag as well as flags from our military services. Emergency services vehicles were well represented.

A soldier from Fort Harrison walked in front of two tanks and a training vehicle from Ft. Harrison. A Wyoming Forest Service truck had a big Smokey the Bear in the back. Top Gun auto had an orange Dukes of Hazard General Lee car, and Glen Van Zee drove a truck advertising the Fall Fest Car Show scheduled for the first week in October.

Good parade, and thanks to all the participants, and congratulations again to all of the winners. God Bless.

Article Images

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PhotoCredit: Matt Nelson, contributing photographer
Image 1 Caption: The Cory Bird family led the parade and won second place in the Cowboys leading animals division. Photo Credit: Matt Nelson *Pg15
Image 2 Caption: Honey Hive Academy drill team struts their stuff in the parade. Photo Credit: Matt Nelson *Pg15
Image 3 Caption: Parade Marshals Don and Patty Eva enjoyed the honor. Photo Credit: Matt Nelson *Pg15
Image 4 Caption: Retired auctioneer and friend Tex Pat led a riderless horse in memory of Bob Masolo, well known Broadwater County rancher. Photo Credit: Matt Nelson *Pg15
Image 5 Caption: Kick Start Nutrition, a new business in Townsend, sported several stock cars as their parade entry. Photo Credit: Matt Nelson *Pg15