Introducing the Grand Marshalls for this year’s Sidney Iowa Rodeo Parade, Vince and Susan Hilton.
Vince Hilton was born July 7, 1951, in Shenandoah.
His parents were Robert and Veronica Hilton. He attended school in Shenandoah and graduated in 1969.
Following graduation, he worked in Oakland, IA at the American Beef Packing Plant. In the summers he went to rodeos and worked in Henderson for Fritcher Rodeo Co. owned by Art (one of the first cowboys to ride in the Sidney Rodeo in 1923) and Addie Fritcher.
Because he had a love for rodeo, he started working at the Sidney Rodeo first by helping with Louie Tackett’s chute crew. Vince opened the chute gates for fifty years. He also entered the Sidney Rodeo twice in Bull Riding and Steer Wrestling.
Throughout his life he competed in area rodeos in Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling and Team Roping. Recently he has served as a Sidney Rodeo Board member, an Advisor, and does maintenance at the Sidney Rodeo grounds.
After leaving his job in Oakland, he moved to Percival where he worked twelve years for Sherwood Lumber Co. Vince started his job with Ferrell Gas Co. in 1989. He and the family moved to Sidney in 1990. In 2018, he retired from Ferrell Gas Co. after 30 years. Today, you might see him traveling to see family, attending a rodeo, or team roping with his friends.
Susan Hilton was born June 15, 1952, in Nebraska City to Lowell and Mary
Sherwood. Percival was her home for many years. She graduated in 1970 from Sidney High School. After graduation, she attended Northwest Missouri State University with a Physical Education major graduating in 1974.
On Aug. 14, 1974, she married Vince Hilton. They have four children and seven grandchildren. While living in Henderson, she taught P. E. in Treynor. In the summer of 1975, she worked for several years for the Fritcher Rodeo Co. as the rodeo secretary.
After she and Vince moved to Percival, she worked in Sidney for Fremont County Insurance and then Southwest Iowa Mutual Insurance. Before she retired, she was a financial advisor for the Harry A. Koch Insurance Co. in Omaha.
As a 4-H leader her specialty was helping the youth learn to bake cherry pies for the Cherry Pie Contest at the Fremont County Fair. She was a very active mom in all her children’s many activities. Susan was instrumental in starting Sidney Alumni and Friends and Sidney Hometown Pride.
Susan loved ushering at the Sidney Rodeo and working in the rodeo concession stands. She is presently on the National Anthem Committee.
Congratulations to Vince and Susan Hilton on being the 2025 Grand Marshals!!
Thank you for all you have done for our rodeo and our community!
