A professional rodeo is coming to Enumclaw Aug. 3-5, bringing excitement to the Expo Center arena while the King County Fair occupies the rest of the center grounds.

While the rodeo and fair will be staged at the same time at the same place, they are separate events. Admission to one will not work for both attractions.

“It’s all about the kids,” said LeeAnn Dunham, when asked about the impetus for returning a rodeo to Enumclaw. Youngsters in 4-H and FFA need a local fair to qualify for the state’s biggest fair in Puyallup and the hope is a rodeo will provide enough interest to keep the Enumclaw fair operating.

The fair withered under King County guidance and is now in the hands of a private operator.

Dunham sits on the rodeo board, a small band of boosters dedicated to making the Enumclaw event a success.

She said the August rodeo is affiliated with the Northwest Pro Rodeo Association and, as far as organizers can tell, Enumclaw’s rodeo will have the second-highest payout on the circuit. That makes it a desirable stop for competitors. Also, the timing worked out just right, Dunham said, as many cowboys and cowgirls will be able to fit the Enumclaw show into their schedules, particularly on Saturday and Sunday.

The Enumclaw rodeo will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 and 4 and at 1 p.m. Aug. 5.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at $10 each. To purchase a ticket, visit www.enumclawprorodeo.com.