Hastings PRCA rodeo awards volunteer, committee people of the year honors
Hastings, Neb. (August 20, 2026) – For a Hastings couple, what started as free rodeo tickets through their sons’ elementary school has turned into a volunteer rodeo gig and recognition for their work.
And for an Ayr, Nebraska man, his wife’s involvement in the Hastings PRCA Rodeo began his work as a volunteer at the event.
Jeff and Becky Crecelius, Hastings, have been awarded the Oregon Trail Rodeo Committee People of the Year award, and Mark Hinrichs, Ayr, is the Oregon Trail Rodeo Volunteer of the Year, all for their efforts at last year’s rodeo.
The Crecelius’ were rodeo fans well before beginning as volunteers, then committee members, on the Oregon Trail Rodeo in Hastings. They joined the committee in 2023. Jeff works on sponsorships and coordinates with local veteran groups to bring a color guard to the rodeo.
Becky is in charge of merchandise and sells t-shirts, caps and koozies with the Oregon Trail Rodeo brand.
The biggest thing the couple has been responsible for is starting the MegaBand. On the Sunday night of rodeo (this year, August 16), three local high school bands are invited to play. They play the national anthem and at various times through the rodeo.
This year, nearly 200 high school band students played in the MegaBand at the rodeo.
“We enjoy rodeo,” Jeff said. “We love our community, we love the Oregon Trail Rodeo, and we wanted to join to see how we could help out.”
Becky appreciates the family atmosphere at the rodeo. “It’s a community event, and I love that rodeo people care about their country. They’re very patriotic, and the morals and faith are amazing.”
For Hinrichs, his wife Trish’s involvement in the Oregon Trail Rodeo queen pageant got him involved.
Part of Trish’s job at the rodeo, in addition to the queen pageant, is responsibility for the flags carried by queens on horseback during the event.
Mark helps with that.
“He’s very organized,” she said. “He makes sure all the flags get flown, in the correct order, and he makes sure the sponsors are recognized.”
The role requires being quick on the feet, too, as he grabs the flags and flagpoles from the queens as they leave the arena.
He also helps with coronation of the Miss Oregon Trail Rodeo Queen as well, filling in with whatever job he is needed for.
Trish served on the Adams Co. Ag Society Board for nine years. She is now a volunteer with the rodeo committee. She won the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2015.
All three recipients received Montana Silversmith buckles.
The 2027 Oregon Trail Rodeo will take place August 13-15 at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings.
For more information, visit the website at www.AdamsCountyFairgrounds.com.