One of the region’s most celebrated summer rodeos is opening the door for vocalists throughout eastern Idaho to take center stage — before an arena full of fans and roughly 450 professional competitors — at this year’s War Bonnet Round Up in Idaho Falls.
The search is on for singers willing to perform the national anthem during the four-night event, which runs from July 29 through August 1, 2026, at Sandy Downs. Organizers welcome participants of any age to throw their hat in the ring, and the reward goes beyond a simple performance credit: each selected vocalist receives a VIP package covering themselves and one guest for the night they perform.
Submitting a Video and Key Dates
The audition process is straightforward. Hopeful performers record themselves singing the national anthem and email the video to pholm@idahofalls.gov. All submissions must arrive no later than Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Rodeo officials plan to notify the chosen performers by Friday, July 10, giving them nearly three weeks to prepare before opening night.
PJ Holm, Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Director, emphasized the significance of this particular year’s occasion. “The national anthem holds immense significance at Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo, especially this year, on America’s 250th birthday,” Holm said. “We aim to showcase the finest vocal talent eastern Idaho has to offer for this patriotic and momentous occasion.”
America’s 250th anniversary adds a layer of weight to the moment, and rodeo leadership says the selection reflects a desire to honor both the community and the broader national milestone with the strongest possible voices from the region.
PRCA Action and Opening Night Family Festivities
The War Bonnet Round Up draws competitors sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, with the full lineup of events covering steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, bull riding, bareback riding, women’s barrel racing, and breakaway roping. The field totals close to 450 professional cowboys and cowgirls competing across the four-night run.
Before the competition gets underway in earnest, the Teton Toyota Wild West Family Fest kicks off the weekend on opening evening, Wednesday, July 29, between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Sandy Downs. Admission to the Family Fest is free, and attendees can expect food, beverages, activities, and a scaled-down rodeo experience intended to give younger guests a taste of what the sport is all about.
For those purchasing tickets to the main rodeo sessions, pricing runs $22 on Thursday and $27 on Friday and Saturday. Children between the ages of 3 and 10 are admitted for $10 per night, making the event a manageable option for families across Southeast Idaho, including those making the drive north from the Bannock County area along I-15.
The War Bonnet Round Up has drawn regional audiences for generations, and the combination of free opening-night programming and four consecutive nights of PRCA competition positions it as one of the more well-rounded professional rodeo weekends available to Idaho families each summer.
What Comes Next
With the video submission deadline falling on July 1, prospective performers have a limited window to prepare and send in their recordings. Organizers stress that the cutoff is firm, and anyone considering an audition should act soon rather than waiting until the final days. Those selected will hear back by July 10, leaving adequate time before opening night to finalize preparations for performing before a packed house at Sandy Downs.
Questions about the War Bonnet Round Up or the national anthem audition process can be directed to the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department at the email address above. Additional Idaho events and statewide news are available at Idaho News.