Entry to the fair and rodeo grounds also has been altered this year, with the main gate moved just north of where it was in previous years. After gaining access, cut to the right and you're headed in the correct direction.

With new rodeo royalty -- Queen and Little Miss -- chosen every two years, this is the year Queen Aurora Lambert of Anchor Point and Little Miss Mattie Cobb of Ninilchik give up their crowns. In the running for queen are Timaney Anderson of Ninilchik, Sarah Cobb of Ninilchik and Jenna Mahoney of Homer. Felicity Jones of Homer and Hannah Kelson of Ninilchik have their eyes on the Little Miss title.

"The girls will do speeches and a riding contest starting at 5 p.m. Friday, said Shirley Schollenberg, organizer of the rodeo. Purchasing rodeo tickets ahead of time from the royal court ensures eligibility for a door prize.

Admission to the rodeo is $5 a day for kids 7-12, $7 for those 13 and older and free for 6 and younger.

Action in the rodeo arena kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday. Immediately after that, sometime around 5 p.m., the kids' events take place, giving an opportunity for riders in the 0-10 and 11- to 16-year-old categories to show off. At 7 p.m. is team penning competition.

"And then, as soon as that's over, we'll have (dancing) and karaoke on the lawn at the fairgrounds," Schollenberg said. "It's a fundraiser for the Alaska High School Rodeo Association. We'll pass the bucket, not a gate fee."

Sunday, it's back to the rodeo arena, with events beginning around 2 and ending around 4.

Bull-riding always draws a crowd. This year some new bulls are waiting to add to the excitement.

"We brought up some bucking bulls from Grande Prairie," Schollenberg said of the new attractions from Alberta, Canada. "Now, if I can just get somebody to ride them."

In addition to the unsual rodeo thrills and the eight-second timer that keeps cameras clicking and crowds cheering, there's always the unexpected.

"One year we had a professional trick roper who found his way here," Schollenberg said. "He just showed up and performed and was quite amazing. It does always surprise me who shows up."

Like any good rodeo, especially those held on fairgrounds, there will be plenty of food to enjoy. There also will be a sawdust pile filled with coins and a calf scramble for any youngster who thinks he or she can remove a ribbon from the tail of a fast-moving calf.

More than 100 rodeo contestants have signed up in past years.

"This is the biggest rodeo contestant-wise, spectator-wise, too," Schollenberg said of Ninilchik's annual July Fourth event.

The Ninilchik rodeo, as with others in the Cowboy Roundup Series, is called a "family-style rodeo to let folks know it's not the rodeo they're used to seeing in the Lower 48. We have lots of kids' events," Schollenberg said. The first one of the series was held in Ninilchik over Memorial Day weekend and the second in Soldotna in mid-June. Activities include bull riding, team roping, a calf scramble, barrel racing and more.

Participants accumulate points throughout the series, with prizes awarded at the end of the season. Entrants must participate in three of the five rodeos in order to be eligible.

"Last year we had some really nice jackets and buckles," Schollenberg said.

Cowboys and cowgirls wanting to participate in the Ninilchik rodeo have until noon Saturday to sign up. Earlier would be better.

"I'll be taking entries at the rodeo grounds Friday night," Schollenberg said.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.