About Us

The Park Rapids rodeo events started back in 1978 when Rhonda Jokela told her brother Randy to either start a rodeo or to shut up about it--her words were more colorful!
The rodeo has transitioned from a open rodeo, to semi-pro, to IPRA, to PRCA and now in its 33rd year as  PBR Bull Ride!  Randy is ably assisted by his fabulous wife (who is also the author here!) Denese and producers in the making, daughter Peyton,12 and cousin Logan Veo, 12!

So  many people comment on how fun the event is, making it part of their summer tradition year after year and we feel that the event is special because it is a family affair.  Our Arena Director, Greg Bishop, now from Tuscon, AZ, started riding security when he was 13 years old.

Greg is one of the main reasons Jokela ProWest  events are successful.  He has done it all!  He aptly handles the logistices of moving and setting up all of our equipment, preparing the fdirt, readying the grounds, building, repairing, hauling, driving, and lifting!  He did it  from Park Rapids, to Thief River, to DL, to Fargo then on to Hibbing in the years that we did many events.   It makes no difference to him--well, not alot-- whether he is dealing with rain, sleet, snow, frozen dirt, hail, tornadoes, lightening, knee high mud and one year in both DL and TRF thigh high mud! He has sung the National Anthem many times, mounted up when we were light, acted as chute boss, mounted up on both
bareback and saddle bronc, chased loose calves, steers, bulls and sheep-- all after closing down the dances with his famous (infamous?) rendering of "Friends in Low Places"!  He also runs all the rough stock, including the sheep and we've accused him of playing favorites there--but that's another story! He has most likely put 1000 kids on the back of a sheep!
We have had some great times, some memorable times, some weird times, and some times we would rather forget, but during it all he has that confident grin on his face and you know if he is here, the show will go on!

BELOW: The Beef Brothers, Brett & Greg Bishop running the chutes!  More on Brett Bishop and the Beef Borthers soon!