The Pike County Cattlemen’s Association kicked off its annual Professional Cowboy Association Rodeo Weekend Monday afternoon at Cattleman Park. The rodeo is set for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22 and 23.

Ed Whatley, Cattleman Park executive director, said this year’s PCA Rodeo will feature traditional rodeo events, a concert and a Western Festival for Kids.

“The Cattlemen are excited about this year’s rodeo and the different events that we have planned,” Whatley said. “This is our third year having the PCA Rodeo in August rather than on Memorial Day weekend, and that has proven to be a great move. The crowds are much larger and, with kids getting back in school, a lot of interest is generated among them.”

With that in mind, the Cattlemen have planned a rodeo event just for kids.

Saturday night at the rodeo will begin with a Western Festival For Kids. The gates will open at 4:30 and the activities will begin at 5 p.m.

“The Western Festival will be a big night for the kids and their families,” Whatley said. “We’ve got rodeo events planned that include stick horse races, steer head roping, mutton bustin’ and a Buck-A-Roo dress-up contest, which is designed to encourage kids to dress in western attire.”

The judges for the Buck-A-Roo dress up contest will circulate among the little cowboys and cowgirls and narrow down the field.

“We’ll have two winners, a cowboy and a cowgirl, and they will be presented to the rodeo crowd at intermission,” Whatley said. “We’ll also have free wagon rides and buggy rides for the kids inside the arena. The Western Festival is going to be loads of fun for the kids and their families.”

The Benton Brothers 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.

“However, the Cattlemen are going to offer free tickets to all kids in the elementary schools in the county and at Zion Chapel and South Montgomery County Academy,” Whatley said. “We want the kids to come out and experience the fun of the rodeo.”

Although kids will be the center of attention prior to the PCA Rodeo Saturday night, the excitement of Rodeo Weekend will get underway at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, with cowboys and cowgirls from the PCA competing in eight rodeo events.

“There are few thrills to compare with the excitement of the rodeo,” Whatley said. “We know the contestants will compete at their best, and it will be a great rodeo both nights.”

In addition to the excitement in the arena, the kids can ride the ponies and the brave of heart can try to tame the mechanical bull on the rodeo grounds. A variety of vendors will have western items for sale at the indoor facility. And, as always, the Cattlemen’s concession stand will be open for business.

“Following the Friday night rodeo, the Sweet Young’Uns will be in concert and everyone will be invited to stay around for some foot-stompin’ fun,” 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.

Advanced tickets will go on sale Aug. 11 at Walkers Western Wear, Cattleman Park, TB&T locations and Piggly Wiggly in Brundidge and Troy. Tickets may be ordered on line at pikecountycattlemen@troycable.net or by calling 334-566-0892.