Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley became mesmerized by the enthralling events and sheer spectacle of the Midwest Invitational Rodeo as he watched it unfold one year at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Belleville.
The two-day event celebrates more than a century of the African American cowboy’s impact which has often been overlooked by history books and Hollywood. It has been estimated that nearly 25% of all cowboys following the Civil War were Black.
By 2023, the rodeo was drawing roughly 4,200 attendees and outgrowing Wayne County Fairgrounds’ facility. Nicole Scott, MWIR Owner and CEO since its founding in 2017, knew the event would require a more accommodating venue in 2024.
To that end, she began meeting with then-Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison about possibly moving the rodeo to Belle Isle; but, for various reasons, it became apparent that might not be such an easy task.
Photo Courtesy of Midwest Invitational Rodeo
When Neeley learned the rodeo that had captivated him was looking for a new home, he immediately reached out to Scott.
“Mayor Neeley sounded confident and was like, ‘tell Todd Bettison I said hello and I’m offering to hold the rodeo in Flint’,” Scott recalls. “I’m from Inkster and had been to Flint maybe twice in my life, so I was not sure, at first, about the fit – but at that point, we were a little more than 120 days out from the 2024 event and Mayor Neeley was certain we could make it happen. Todd understood.”
Any concerns Scott harbored melted away when sell-out crowds of more than 3,000 attended both days of the rodeo at the Genesee County Fairgrounds last June to watch nearly 70 mostly African American competitors display their skills in various events involving horses, steers and bulls.
The number of tickets sold exceeded the existing capacity of the fairgrounds’ grandstand and additional bleachers were brought in. Many more people showed up to check out the array of vendors, exhibits and food trucks and interact with the participants.
The economic impact was nearly $300,000, according to Explore Flint & Genesee Executive Director, Amari Steward.
An impressed Bettison, now Detroit’s Police Chief, was among those in attendance.
“Yes, Flint turned out to be a great place for our rodeo and we sold out of tickets fairly quickly because it drew locals, people from around the state and from other states,” Scott says. “The community really liked the whole atmosphere and ‘family reunion’ feel and loved watching all the skills on display during competition. We provided a great environment for family fun and more. For many, it was something new to learn about and experience.”
The MWIR has indeed found its new home and returns, with a few new twists to enjoy, on June 13-14.
“Flint is proud to once again host this thrilling rodeo event, giving our families and youth an opportunity to experience the incredible skill and legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls,” Neeley said in a written statement when the rodeo’s return was announced. “We are not only celebrating history and sportsmanship, but we’re also opening doors for the next generation to see what’s possible.”
Photo Courtesy of Midwest Invitational Rodeo
Competitions will again be the centerpiece, including steer wrestling, tie-down roping, bull riding, ranch bronc riding, relay races, ladies barrel racing and a ladies steer event in which participants pursue steers and attempt to remove a piece of tape from their backs.
Steer wrestling involves cowboys on horseback chasing a steer before jumping on its back and attempting to bring it to the ground. Ladies barrel racing showcases the athleticism of skilled horse-handlers maneuvering around barrels in the ring.
Tie-down roping involves cowboys on horses pursuing calves at full speed while twirling a lasso before throwing it around the calf’s neck. They then dismount and tie any three of the calf’s legs using a string which the cowboy carries in their mouth while their horse keeps enough tension on the rope to help prevent the calf from running away.
Relay races consist of four horse-riders passing a baton while each one completes a loop around a series of barrels.
In bareback bronc riding, riders hold onto a bucking horse with one hand while attempting to remain on it for eight seconds without touching the horse with their free hand. A molded piece of leather cinched around the horse’s girth is all they have to grasp.
“I really think people who have never been to our rodeo will really appreciate the camaraderie of it all, seeing your neighbors there along with people from all over coming together with great music playing in the background.”
Nicole Scott, MWIR Owner/CEO
Bull riders practice an even more dangerous craft as they try to remain on a wildly flailing bull, weighing an average of 1,700 pounds, for eight seconds.
Among those who can last that long on more 70% of their attempts is Burton resident Logan Martin-Nagy, who has been climbing aboard the backs of bulls in competition for 12 years already at age 24.
The Grand Blanc High School graduate competes around the Midwest, but jumped at another chance to compete close to home when last year’s MWIR was announced. He also participates in the Gaines Community Rodeo, which celebrates its 22nd edition on July 18-19, and the Genesee County Fair’s rodeo events each August.
“I was really excited about competing in front of family members who don’t get to see me very often and that’s also what’s great about the Midwest Invitational; it’s like a big bunch of family all getting together,” says Martin-Nagy, who finished among the top three bull riders last year. “I met a lot of fellow competitors from out of state and they all took me in as one of their own. I can’t wait to go back.”
Martin-Nagy, who is caucasian, also appreciates the MWIR’s mission of celebrating Black cowboy heritage and achievements while providing more opportunities for residents of urban areas to experience rodeo culture.
“I think it’s really important because attending a rodeo like this one could inspire people to try some of the events for the first time,” he says. “I’ve also personally seen how that’s a good way for anybody to stay out of trouble and focus their energy on something positive no matter who they are. Rodeo can be really addicting.”
“Living life 8 seconds at a time – best feeling ever!” Burton resident and Grand Blanc High School grad Logan Martin-Nagy has been climbing aboard the backs of bulls in competition for 12 years already at age 24. | Photo Courtesy of Midwest Invitational Rodeo
Martin-Nagy, who has more than 107,000 TikTok followers, mainly competes in National Federation of Professional Bullriders events at ProEdge Arena in Osseo near Hillsdale from October through April, and in Super Kicker Rodeo Production competitions throughout the state between May-September.
He is also a member of the Super Kickers crew involved in setting up and taking down events. Last year, Martin-Nagy won three Super Kicker competitions and finished third in the overall season standings.
Martin-Nagy was seventh in the season standings at ProEdge with two events remaining, including a win in January and four other top-five finishes.
His preparation involves riding a mechanical barrel and plenty of strength training and cardiovascular workouts at a fitness club.
His social media accounts are filled with affirming messages like “Living life 8 seconds at a time – best feeling ever” and “If you have a dream, you gotta work for it even if it hurts.”
“The goals for this year are lasting the full eight seconds on at least 80% of the bulls I ride and finishing higher in the season standings,” says Martin-Nagy, who wears an orange bandana around the back of his vest while competing in memory of his sister Cassie, who died in 2022 at age 25 following a battle with leukemia.
“Cassie will always be my biggest fan and I know she’s watching over me every time I ride,” he says.
Photo Courtesy of Midwest Invitational Rodeo
This year’s MWIR festivities kick off the evening of June 12 with a welcome dinner at Elements Modern Kitchen & Cocktails, a new restaurant owned by renowned Chef Nate Brown and scheduled to open this month in the Wyndham Hotel in Grand Blanc.
A “Gallop to the Green” golf tournament will be held at Swartz Creek Golf Course on June 13. It is scheduled to feature appearances by five-time NFL Pro Bowl receiver Irving Fryar and 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier, a two-time Pro Bowler and his former Nebraska teammate. Those interested can register at fryarfitnessgolf@gmail.com.
Other happenings away from the grandstand include a free men’s Health & Wellness Fair on June 14 at the fairgrounds in partnership with Genesee Health System, exhibits by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and 4-H, a mechanical bull, vendors selling items like Western wear and hats, and plenty of food offerings.
Rodeo events begin at 7PM both days.
“I really think people who have never been to our rodeo will really appreciate the camaraderie of it all, seeing your neighbors there along with people from all over coming together with great music playing in the background,” Scott says. “We intend to provide people with a good time and leave them wanting more. Last year, a couple got engaged during the rodeo and a 100-year-old woman said she would see me next year.
“We anticipate a total attendance of around 7,000 this year,” Scott adds. “Last year, about 120 hotel rooms were booked in relation to the rodeo. This time, it could be closer to 200, bringing even more of an economic impact to the Flint area.”
Photo Courtesy of Midwest Invitational Rodeo
Count Amari Steward among those grateful for all that the MWIR brings.
“There is a huge historical significance in our region when it comes to Black cowboy culture with an influx of Black Americans moving to Flint at the turn of the last century, and we saw generations of folks locally at last year’s rodeo,” she says. “Outside of that, 45 percent of attendees (last year) came from at least 50 miles away – some even from Alabama, Oklahoma and Indiana – which bolstered the economic impact this event had.”
That level of response has been emotional for Scott and part of what she envisioned when founding MWIR after 16 years of helping organize Bill Pickett Rodeo events. Her family has been involved with Bill Pickett, the nation’s only touring African American rodeo, since its inception in 1984.
“I remember my son being excited when I started the Midwest Invitational after we moved back to Michigan from the Denver area,” she says. “He’s like, ‘this is great mom because some of my friends have never even heard a horse neigh before’.”
For tickets and more info, see midwest-invitational.com.
