When the school bells toll in August, that’s a sure sign that the chutes are soon to open and the annual Pike County Cattlemen’s PCA Rodeo at Cattleman Park will be underway.

Pike County Cattlemen publicity chair, Ed Whatley said, so far, every Cattlemen’s rodeo has be a humdinger but this will one will be for books.

“The year’s rodeo is our 25th Anniversary Rodeo at Cattleman Park so it will be a milestone event,” Whatley said. “We are looking forward to it being the biggest and best rodeo ever. We’ve had mighty good PCA rodeos so that’s saying a lot.”

The 25th Anniversary PCA Rodeo is set for Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26 at Cattleman Park on U.S. Highway 231 south of Troy.

“Friday night, we’ll get the action started at 7:30 with bronco busting, barrel racing, steer wrestling, bareback riding and, of course, the ever exciting bull riding,” Whatley said.

The gates at Cattleman Park will open at 5 p.m. with “vendors galore.’

“The vendors will have pony rides, a mechanical bull, calf scramble, mutton bustin’ and many more activities for the little buckaroos,” Whatley said.

Saturday’s activities will feature the “Western Festival” for kids and will kick off at 5 p.m. in the Rodeo Arena.

“What little kid doesn’t like cowboys and horses,” Whatley said. “The Western Festival is a chance for kids to do things that cowboys do and they have a great time. We’ll have stick horse races, roping, mutton bustin’ and wagon and buggy rides. This year, the Cattlemen will have a new event, hoppy races. Where else can families go and have so much fun for such a great price.”

Saturday’ rodeo and Western Festival tickets are only $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Saturday’s PCA Rodeo will feature the same exciting events as Friday’s rodeo. Ticket prices are the same.

“The rodeo is a family event and the Pike County Cattlemen keep it affordable,” Whatley said. “We encourage all rodeo fans and those who want to come and see what rodeo is all about to get their advance tickets and save a few extra dollars.”

Advance tickets are available at Piggly Wiggly in Troy and Brundidge, Don Walker’s Western Wear, Troy Bank & Trust main location and Banks Buy-Rite.