Harold Brooks is a contractor, business owner and a member of the board of directors for the Great Falls Balloon Festival, but lately he’s best known as the founder of the last year’s Redneck Olympics, a weekend-long bash that brought thousands to Hebron last August.

After the United States Olympic Committee ordered him to stop using the name “Olympics,” Brooks changed the name of this year’s event to the “Redneck Blank.” He’s also hosting for the first time a three-day Redneck Rodeo starting June 29 on his land in Hebron, and is building a rodeo arena in his gravel pit. Both events offer free camping, with tickets. Brooks has run Harold Brooks Construction since he was 21.

Name: Harold Brooks

Age: 45

Occupation: Owner of Harold Brooks Construction

Why hold a rodeo this year? The rodeo is about as American as apple pie itself. I think it’s a great thing for people who are going to be looking for something to do on the 4th of July. . . . I believe that this will be something that when they come, they remember. The Redneck Olympics did that. With rodeo, you’re not just showing an event. You’re bringing a feeling. There’s wildness and excitement. There’s animals you can reach out and touch. You’re actually part of this. We’ve made arrangements to use the Grange Hall the week before, so as the cowboys come in, we’re going to have things like hot dogs and baked beans. We’re not going to charge anything, it’s just as a courtesy.

Is it challenging to build a rodeo from scratch? Originally what happened was I thought bull riding would be a good idea. I wanted to do a second event. We have a little festival, have some bull riding, maybe add something else. But I didn’t know about sanctioned rodeos. When the bull-riding guy failed me, I got a hold of New England Wild Wild West Rodeos. It was going to cost a lot more. I’m thinking, “Why is it so much money” Just like most people, I didn’t understand the difference between bull riding and a professional rodeo. We had that philosophy, “If you build it they will come.” We’re about ready to put in 2,500 seats so people have a place to sit.

With all the money going into this, are you afraid it could fail? Some people take chances, some people don’t. I take chances. I bought a trailer park on a Saturday one time. If it feels good, then I usually try to do it. Most of the time, it usually works out, believe it or not. The goals are less monetary (for the rodeo). I’d like to see the people around here have a good time.

Is the rodeo something that you’d like to do annually? Yeah, I’d like to do it annually. I think it’s good for the state. There’s pockets of people who love the rodeo. It’s almost like loving lobster and living in Texas. You love lobster, but it’s not everyday you can get lobster. So I’m looking for rodeo buffs who love rodeo, but don’t necessarily get their rodeo fix.

The Redneck Rodeo will include team roping, steer wrestling, saddle and bareback riding, bull riding, tie roping and barrel racing events. Tickets are $20 a day or $45 for the weekend. For more information or to buy tickets, go to redneckmaine.com.