There will be plenty of excitement both inside and outside the Lee Mar Ranch arena at this year's Western Fest, organizers said. One of the festival's star attractions, the PRCA Stampede Rodeo, is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

"We've go 408 contestants entered. That's up over 100 contestants from last year," said rodeo organizer John Richter. "It's good for our fans to know that we have 40 bull riders this year."

The rodeo also has full slates for the bronco busting, bareback and timed events, Richter said. "If the weather is good, it should be a really great show."

Western Fest events to suit everyone's interests will also be going on Wednesday through Saturday.

The fun starts with a kickoff party Wednesday evening.

"There will be a lot of things in the downtown area," said Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce staff member Helen Hanson. "It starts with a Whopper feed and a kiddie parade," she said, and includes performances by Dance Explosion and the Yellow Medicine East 212 Regiment band.

There will be two street dances at this year's Western Fest. Friday night will feature the Lamont Cranston Blues Band, a well-known group from the Twin Cities. Saturday's music will be provided by area band Hicktown Mafia.

Favorites like the Western Fest Grand Parade will also be there, of course.

"Every year we have well over 100 units," Richter said of the parade. "This year should be the same."

Hanson said one event that will probably have a lot of people interested is this year's Western Fest sweepstakes drawing. The grand prize is $10,000, she said.

"Some years they've done certificates for local businesses, but this year there are cash prizes," she said. "Quite a few people have been interested in that."

Schedule of events

Wednesday

11 a.m.-8 p.m.: Ambulance squad Whopper and bratwurst feed

6 p.m.: Kiddie parade

6:30-8 p.m.: Free root beer floats downtown

6:30 p.m.: Western Fest Queen candidates and royalty appearance

6:45 p.m.: Dance Explosion dancers

7 p.m.: 212 Regiment (YME band) performance

Thursday

5 p.m.-1 a.m.: American Legion food stand at Sorlien Park

6 p.m.-1 a.m.: Lions Club beer gardens at Sorlien Park

7:30 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo at Lee-Mar Ranch, with free pony rides from 5:30-7:15 and mutton busting at 6:45. Introduction of Western Fest royalty and candidates at Thursday's rodeo.

Friday

5 p.m.-1 a.m.: American Legion food stand at Sorlien Park

6 p.m.-1 a.m.: Lions Club beer gardens at Sorlien Park

7:30 p.m.: RCA Rodeo at Lee-Mar Ranch

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Street dance at Sorlien Park, featuring the Lamont Cranston Blues Band. Gate fee $5 per person.

Saturday

8:30 a.m.: Rodeo Run and Western Fest Walk

10:30 a.m.: Miss Western Fest Queen's brunch at Minneota West. Tickets $10 per person.

11:30 a.m.: Fireman's barbecue at the fire hall

1 p.m.: Grand parade

5 p.m.: Miss Western Fest Pageant at the YME High School auditorium

5 p.m.-1 a.m.: American Legion food stand at Sorlien Park

6 p.m.-1 a.m.: Lions Club beer gardens at Sorlien Park

7:30 p.m.: RCA Rodeo at Lee-Mar Ranch

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Street dance at Sorlien Park featuring Hicktown Mafia. Gate fee is $5 per person.

10:15 p.m.: Introduction of 2009 Miss Western Fest and Princess

10:30 p.m.: Sweepstakes drawings