Leading Montana PRCA barrel racer Shelley Murphy of Helena will headline a large group of area participants expected to compete for top spots at the Last Chance Stampede rodeo, beginning at 8 p.m. tonight at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds.

Murphy, who has earned $10,094.04 to lead a tough group of female riders, will be riding in tonight's slack, which will follow immediately after the final bull riding event.

Helena's Chase Tryan and Boulder's Ben Wrzesinski both hold second-place spots on the list of competitors and will head into the arena on Friday.

Tryan has earned $5,695 in team roping as a heeler to place behind Sid Sporer of Cody, Wyo. Meanwhile Wrzesinski has $3,696 for the runner-up spot behind Toston's Scott Owens.

Still, few will have the reputation of Great Falls' Jesse Kruse when he enters the arena for the saddle bronc event on Saturday. Montana's PRCA leader with $7,665, also holds the No. 1 world ranking with a total of $100,841.

Kesler Rodeo Company will provide the stock and Wayne Brooks will be announcing the events.

While the rodeo offers fierce competition for the die-hard fans, it will also have a number of activities for the families.

Thursday night will begin with a prerodeo, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature sheepriding and steer riding. Each night will also have clown performances -- Radical Ryan Rodriguez has been hired to bring entertainment -- and, of course, the wild cow milking competition.

Each night is also a themed night, with Thursday being Military Appreciation Night for those in the armed forces. Friday will follow up with ";Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night, to help raise money toward fighting breast cancer.

The night will also have a Chicks n Chaps women's rodeo clinic, which will introduce roping and rough stock events for a group of female participants.

Saturday will be a Hawaii-themed night.

Spectators will get to view the events from new seating at a much larger venue than in the past at the fairgrounds' new outdoor performance arena. An alcohol-free section will also be provided.

General admission prices will be $13 for adults and $5 for children on Thursday.