The National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) is expected to have a massive impact on Lincoln and the surrounding areas when competitors arrive in July.
Event organizers say the rodeo, which is the largest in the world by contestants, will bring the economic impact of four Husker game days to Lincoln.
The Lancaster Event Center Fairgrounds has been preparing for the event by putting in a new grandstand, as well as creating new arenas and providing camper hookups.
The 2021 NHSFR is bringing up to 1,700 top high school competitors from 43 states, Canada, and Mexico this year.
The visitors will each stay 7-10 days on grounds and in nearby lodging options totaling 110,000 visitor days when combined with the thousands of rodeo fans and shoppers to visit each day. Rodeo attendees will drive new spending equivalent of $16M or 4 football Saturdays over a week to Lincoln/Lancaster County businesses in addition to statewide business impact, according to Dr. Eric Thompson, UNL Bureau of Business Research.
Learn more about the preparation in this video interview by the Rural Radio Network! (Click on the video above)