Special to The Hays Daily News

PHILLIPSBURG -- A familiar rodeo face will return to Phillipsburg next month for Kansas' Biggest Rodeo, scheduled for Aug. 5 to 7.

Rodeo clown Rick Young will be in town to provide the comedy and laughs for all three nights of the Phillipsburg event.

Young, from Tickfaw, La., worked the Phillipsburg rodeo from 1992 to 2002 as rodeo clown and barrelman. The 76-year-old has been a member of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association for more than 50 years.

Now the Agin' Cajun, as he refers to himself, returns as rodeo clown only and leaves the barrelman duties to someone younger. "I'm not getting any slower. They're making faster bulls," he laughs.

In his half-century career, he's earned many honors, including Coors Man in the Can, 1991, 1994, 1996-1997; PRCA Clown of the Year, 1980; Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals, 1980-81; Original Coors Rodeo Showdown, 1992, 1995; Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo 1985, and National Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee (Oklahoma City), 2004.   Just last year, he was honored at the Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo for working that rodeo for 50 consecutive years.

 Young attributes his long career to his love of people. "I enjoy making people laugh. That's the Cajun in me."