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Phillipsburg, Kan. (July 15, 2024) – Rodeo clown Justin Rumford is among family in Phillipsburg.
Not that he has blood relation in Phillips County, because he doesn’t.
But he’s been to the Phillipsburg rodeo arena so many times, in so many different roles, and he knows so many people in the town.
His first time to work in the arena was as an eighth grader, as he worked as a pickup man in high school rodeo, alongside Jake Ramsey. When he was a high school student himself, he was there at the high school rodeo, winning several all-around titles, and when he went pro rodeoing, he steer wrestled in Phillipsburg, winning money a few times.
When he worked for Beutler and Son Rodeo, before he began his rodeo clown career, he drove truck and fed livestock.
He even went to Cowboy Prom, hosted in one of the fair buildings, in high school; the prom is provided for the high school rodeo athletes, because they often miss their own proms to compete for the weekend at a rodeo.
And this year, he’ll return as the rodeo clown.
The Phillipsburg rodeo is one of his favorites. “I love Phillipsburg,” he said. “I always loved coming there. It’s definitely one of my favorite places to go.”
Rumford’s family, based out of Abbyville, Kan., owned Rumford Rodeo Co. for years, helping supply livestock to rodeos in the Midwest.
Rumford became a rodeo clown in 2010. He’s worked the Phillipsburg rodeo three times prior to this year (2013, 2017, 2021).
He’s won the PRCA Clown of the Year award ten times and the Coors Man in the Can award three times.
He and his wife Ashley have triplets: daughters Livi and Lola and son Bandy.
Rumford will entertain during each night of the Phillipsburg rodeo, August 1-3. The rodeo begins at 8 pm nightly.
Reserved adult tickets are $22; reserved children’s tickets are $17 (children ages 3-12). General admission tickets for August 1 for adults are $18; kids are free on August 1. General admission tickets for August 2-3 for adults are $19 and for kids are $13.
Tickets can be purchased online at KansasBiggestRodeo.com, and in person at Garrett Insurance in Phillipsburg (685 Third Street), or by calling 785.543.2448.
For more information, visit the website.
