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For the third straight year, the PRCA Badlands Circuit Finals will be held in conjunction with the Minot Y's Men's annual rodeo.

The Y's Men's, who have raised over $1,000,000 for the area YMCA camps, are holding nothing back this year as they expect to put on the best show possible starting tonight at 6:30 p.m. and running through Sunday at the All Seasons Arena.

"It's a production, not just a rodeo," said Paul Kramer 2009 Y's Men's Chairman. "It's important to entertain your fans to make sure they get the most bang for their buck."

Along with hosting the top cowboys and cowgirls from the Badlands Circuit, and some of the finest livestock in the world, the Y's Men are making a few changes to this year's show - 55th annual rodeo.

There will be no intermission this year, meaning the mutten busters will start out each night with a pre-show to follow. During the night there will also be some added fireworks outside of the arena floor.

"We're kind of changing the way the show works a little but it's all in the best interest of the fans and the finals," Kramer said. "We've added some unique features like a pre-show video on the big screen, and we are also bringing in a real pyrotechnic guy to add some effects.

"We're expecting a really great show this weekend."

The top 12 competitors in each event will be vying for titles and a shot to move onto the regional finals and hopefully the national finals in Las Vegas.

Among the competitors will be 2008 Aggregate Champions Scott Montague (bareback), Cole Hermanson (bull riding) and 2008 Year-end Steer Wrestling Champion Tyler Haugen.

To put on the event, the Y's Men's have once again relied heavily on the work of volunteers, and they will continue to do so throughout the weekend.

"Countless, countless volunteer hours," Kramer said. "Without volunteers, this thing doesn't happen."

Kramer has been a Y's Men's committee member for 10 years, but he is just now getting his first experience as chairman. He said it's an experience he won't soon forget.

"Stress, lots of stress," he said when asked what's been different this year. "I didn't have a lot of hair when I started out but what I got left is a little greyer than before."

Also new to this weekend's rodeo will be eight-time Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Announcer of the Year Bob Tallman, six-time PRCA Specialty Act of the Year winner Troy "The Wild Child" Lerwill. Elgin's Josh Rivinius and Aberdeen, S.D.'s Chris Aman return as the weekend's bull fighters.

They will also be holding the 2009 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Pageant during the course of the weekend. The winner will be crowned Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m.