When the school bells ring and the air begins to hint at fall, then it’s rodeo time in Pike County.

The Pike County Cattlemen’s Association will showcase an all-new Professional Cowboy Association Rodeo (PCA) on August 26 and 27 at Cattleman Park.

This will be the Pike County Cattlemen’s 24th annual rodeo, and it’s going to get off to a rough-ridin’ start at 11 a.m. on Aug. 26 at Santa Fe Steak House in Troy, said Cattleman Ed Whatley.

“‘The Rodeo Kickoff Celebrity Bull Ride at Santa Fe’ is a new event to bring greater awareness to the rodeo,” Whatley said. “We’ve got a list of Pike County celebrities that will mount up and ride the mechanical bull. Just to name a few, Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen, Circuit Clerk Jamie Scarbrough, Sheriff Russell Thomas, Troy Mayor Jason Reeves, WTBF’s Jim Roling, Troy University Baseball Coach Mark Smart, Goshen Mayor Darren Jordan, CBS 8’s Dannielle Wallace, Troy Cable’s Morning Show host, Mike Amos, WSFA’s Tonya Terry, Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage and Erin Beasley, director of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association beef check-off programs.”

The celebrities will be challenged with a 60 second ride on the mechanical bull. They will be riding in western attire and will be judged on dress and presentation during the ride. “This will be a fun event and should spur interested in the Pike County Cattlemen’s weekend rodeo,” Whatley said.

The 2016 PCA Rodeo at Cattleman Park will get underway at 7:30 on Friday night Aug. 26,with the traditional rodeo events, bronc bustin, barrel racing, steer wrestling, bareback riding, calf roping, team roping, break-away roping and bull riding.

Saturday Aug. 27 activities will kick off at 5 p.m. and feature the “Western Festival” for kids. The rodeo finals will get underway at 7:30 p.m.

Rodeo tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children under the age of six will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Advanced tickets may be purchased at the Piggly Wiggly grocery stores in Troy and Brundidge, Don Walker’s Western Wear in Troy, the Troy Bank & Trust location in Troy and at Cattleman Park.