Larimer County Fair Names 2017 Family of the Year

The Larimer County Fair & Rodeo Board is proud to present the 2017 “Family of the Year,” award to the Barrett family, to honor the late Mr. Hadley Barrett, the voice of the Larimer County Fair PRCA Rodeo for over 40 years.  The Barrett’s will be awarded at the PRCA Rodeo on Sunday, August 6.

About Hadley Barrett

Mr. Hadley Barrett of Kersey, Colorado passed away in Aurora on March 2, 2017. He was born to CJ and Mattie (Hill) Barrett in North Platte, Nebraska on September 18, 1929.

Hadley started his rodeo career in the early 1950’s.  In the early days, Hadley would ride bulls and bareback horses, fill in for the announcer, then set up and play the rodeo dance all night long.  Hadley and his band “Hadley Barrett and the Westerners” played music for 34 years and was inducted into the Nebraska country music Hall of Fame and even featured in the Smithsonian.

Hadley continued to play in his band while his announcing career grew around the Nebraska rodeo circuit in the early 60's. Once the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, the Beutler family, and other rodeo professionals heard about Barrett it wasn't long before Professional Rodeo came calling.

A PRCA member since 1965, Barrett announced all the big rodeos and a great number of the smaller ones across the country. Barrett was named PRCA Announcer of the Year in 1983, 1985, 1989 and 2002. He worked five National Finals Rodeos (1968, 1976, 1979, 1983 and 2008) and the 1967 National Finals Steer Roping, as well as called the action at the Canadian Finals Rodeo seven times. In addition, he worked as an NFR television announcer since 1980. Hadley was among the first to announce while on horseback.

Hadley is survived by his wife, Lee; children, Trent (Rebecca) Barrett, Michelle (Randy) Corley, Kim Jurgens, Travas (Alaina) Brenner, Katie Brenner, Taleah Barrett; brother, Bob Barrett; 17 grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren.

The 2017 Larimer County Fair and PRCA Rodeo, presented by Colorado Lottery, runs from August 4-8 at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland. Tickets are still available.