Maintaining a family atmosphere and preserving quality have been the magic ingredients for a rodeo event returning to the Flying W Ranch for its 30th year.

The 30th Annual Allegheny Mountain Championship Rodeo is set to hit the dirt of the Flying W's arena in Kelletville on July 23-26.

According to ranch owners Joyce and Ronnie Weller, the ranch is set on 600 acres with the Allegheny National Forest in its backyard. It opened in April 1965 and the first rodeo was held in 1980.

"It was an event that fit the ranch very well," Ronnie said. "We're the toughest show on dirt."

From that first show in 1980, the rodeo at Flying W is a year-round job of promoting the event and keeping the facility up to snuff.

"This year the rodeo ends on July 26," Ronnie said, "We start promoting rodeo on July 27 for next year."

"It's been an ever-growing endeavor," Joyce said.

To keep up with growing crowds, the Flying W Ranch installed additional bleacher seating in 2006.

The show at the Flying W represents a traditional rodeo by showcasing the following events: bull riding, bareback bronc, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing.

"I love that event, it's just gorgeous," Joyce said of the barrel racing.

So what does it take to put on a successful event every year?

"It takes a commitment to excellence," Joyce admitted.

That commitment is displayed in the pristine upkeep of the ranch property and buildings. In addition, excellence in the Wellers' business is exuded in the friendly attitude to patrons and a solid professional relationship with the rodeo contractor.

Rodeo producer J Bar J, Inc., of Circle, Mont., will bring the show to Kelletville again.

"We've been using J Bar J for 27 years," Ronnie said.

The tradition of using the same rodeo producer for several years is comparable to the tradition of the rodeo in general.

"There's been quite a few people who have been to every (rodeo)," Ronnie said.

The Wellers' niece, Dixie Haney, said her daughter, Ashley, has been selling programs at the rodeo for several years.

"She sees the same couple come in every year. They said to her, 'We watched you grow up,'" Dixie said.

With the tradition of the rodeo comes a focus on family.

"We really strive to make this a family atmosphere," Joyce said.

"I think people come here because we have music, we have vendors and we have a great family atmosphere," Ronnie added.