“Ah, chute!” when it comes to rodeo, you just can’t beat the Pike County Cattlemen’s Professional Rodeo.

And, rodeo fans from near and far are anxiously awaiting the Cattlemen’s 24th Annual PCA Rodeo Friday and Saturday at Cattleman Park.

B.B. Palmer, Pike County Cattlemen’s president, said this year’s rodeo will feature some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the Southeast.

“These contestants are very competitive and they come to win,” Palmer said. “Bar W Rodeo from North Carolina will again be our stock company so we know there will be plenty of action in the arena and it will be exciting. We’ve got all of the major rodeo events – bronc bustin, barrel racing, steer wrestling, bareback riding, roping and bull riding.

“And, to top it off, we’re bringing in one of the best announcers and one of the best clowns in the rodeo business.”

Palmer said the announcer and the clown are a big part of any rodeo and the Pike County Cattlemen bring in the best so there’s never a dull moment at Cattleman Park.

“We want to keep the action going all the time and we have the announcer and the clown that can keep it going,” Palmer said. “Clint Allemand is an eight-time Professional Cowboy Finals Rodeo announcer and announces on horseback, so he’s out there where people can see him. He interacts with crowd and he knows all the cowboys. He keeps the rodeo fans interested and informed.”

Jake Wilcox is a two-time PCA Rodeo Clown of the Year and he’s back by popular demand.

“Jake is a young clown but you wouldn’t know it by the way he gets the fans laughing and having a good time,” Palmer said. “From the first bucking horse to the last bull ride, he’ll keep the fans entertained.”

Palmer said Wilcox changes his act so that it is always new.

“You never know what Jake will do but you always know he will have you smiling and laughing out loud,” Palmer said.

Tickets for the 24th Annual Pike County Cattlemen’s PCA Rodeo are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children under the six are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Advance tickets are available at the Piggly Wiggly stores in Troy and Brundidge, Walker’s Western Wear, Troy Bank & Trust main location and Cattleman Park.

Rodeo show time is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Western Festival for kids on Saturday is at 5 p.m.