The Pike County Cattlemen’s Professional Cowboy Association Rodeo this weekend is shaping up to be a great one.

Ed Whatley, Pike County Cattlemen’s Association executive director, said the Cattlemen’s rodeo producer, Brett Woody with Bar W Rodeo Company, told him Monday that the company has a full bank of cowboys and cowgirls for the live performance.

“Woody said Bar W will have to run Slack to accommodate the extra contestants,” Whatley said. “He has a really strong set of bucking stock — bareback, saddle bronc, and bulls — again this year and we can’t wait to see what these top cowboys in the Southeast can do on them.”

Whatley said pre-sale tickets are coming in strong for Friday and Saturday night.

“The Cattlemen have big rodeos planned for both nights,” he said. “Of course, the cowboys and cowgirls will provide all the thrills and excitement you expect at a rodeo, and the Cattlemen have something extra each night.”

After the Friday night rodeo, fans will be invited to stay around for a concert by the popular country music group, Sweet Young’Uns. There’s no extra charge for the concert and those who don’t stay around will miss a great concert and a chance to kick up their heels and have good time, rodeo style, Whatley said.

Tickets for the Friday night Pike County Cattlemen’s PCA Rodeo are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Children ages six and under will be admitted free.

Saturday night is Western Festival night at Cattleman Park.

“Western Festival is family night. The gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the kids’ activities will begin at 5 p.m.,” Whatley said. “We want all young kids to have the opportunity to enjoy the rodeo so the Cattlemen are giving away about 3,500 free tickets to kids in elementary schools in Pike, South Montgomery, Coffee, Crenshaw and Dale counties for the Western Festival.

“The kids will enjoy the pony rides, mutton busting, the mechanical bull and bounce houses. And, a special added attraction will be Farmer Brown’s petting zoo out of Auburn. Of course, the wagon and buggy rides around the complex will thrill young and old alike.”

The Benton Brothers and Company will be the featured entertainment at the Western Festival and will take the stage from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. The PCA Rodeo will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Saturday night rodeo will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

Throughout rodeo weekend, vendors will have variety of Western items for sale, including boots, hats, scarves, ropes, whips and spurs.

The Pike County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen’s associations will have hamburgers, hotdogs and anything else a rodeo fan could want at the concession stand.

Advanced tickets are on sale at Walkers Western Wear, Cattleman Park, TB&T locations and Piggly Wiggly in Brundidge and Troy.