to be held this weekend

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

When the Pike County Cattlemen’s Complex was in the planning stages, members of the cattlemen’s association were dreaming of a rodeo arena that would attract "cowboys" of all ages and levels of competition.

The arena opened Memorial Day weekend with a Professional Cowboy Association rodeo. The rodeo packed the stands both nights.

This weekend, Cattleman Park will be the site of a Alabama High High School Rodeo.

The first performance for the first high school rodeo in Pike County will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 and the second performance is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30.

B.B. Palmer, publicity chairman for the Pike County Cattlemen’s Association, said the young riders will be just as exciting to watch as the professional cowboys.

"We have a lot of good rodeo talent among our high school students," he said. "I think everyone will be impressed by the level of competition and I know they will be entertained. It’s going to be a great rodeo and we ask everyone who enjoys the rodeo to come out and support these young people."

Palmer said the events for the high school rodeo include bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, team roping, goat tying, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding.

"Nothing is missing from the events slated for the high school rodeo," he said. "Those who have attended high school rodeos know how exciting they can be. Those who haven’t will have a good opportunity to see good high school rodeo this weekend."

Palmer said the Cattlemen hope the high school rodeo will be an incentive for other young people in the area to get involved in rodeo.

"It’s a great sport and it’s on the increase all across the country," Palmer said. "High school rodeo has been big in other areas for a long time and it’s getting bigger in Alabama every year. We expect it to be a big sport in Pike County in a shot time, both for participants and spectators."

Admission to the rodeo is $5 for adults and $3 for children.