It’s time to “Cowboy Up!” The word around town is that the 1960s National Mechanical Bull Riding Queen from West Chitlin’ Branch, Nevada will be among the contestants to mount the bull in the Pike County Cattlemen’s Association’s Mechanical Bull competition at Santa Fe Cattle Company at 11 a.m. Friday.

B.B. Palmer, Cattlemen’s publicity chair, said the Mechanical Bull competition is the kickoff event for the Cattlemen’s annual professional rodeo set for Friday and Saturday nights at Cattleman Park.

“We’re excited and honored to have a National Mechanical Bull Riding Queen to help us kick off the 2019 Pike County Cattlemen’s Rodeo,” Palmer said. “She’ll provide a thrill a second, hopefully ‘8 seconds’ or more of rodeo kickoff fun.

Palmer said the Cattlemen’s Mechanical Bull Riding competition is open to all bull riders and bull rider wannabes.

“If you’ve ever wanted to ride a bull but never had the opportunity, now is your chance,” Palmer said. “The only difference between riding an honest-to-goodness bull and a mechanical bull is that you won’t get stomped or gored when you fall off.”

There is no fee to enter the Pike County Cattlemen’s Bull Riding competition and the winner will retain the title for an entire year. He or she will be available for speaking engagements or to emcee local events.

Among the local celebrities that will mount the bull are Pike County Probate Judge Michael Bunn, State Representative Wes Allen, Pike County Circuit Clerk Jamie Scarborough and Brundidge Police Chief Moses Davenport.

Palmer said there will be other competitors from law enforcement, the business and industrial communities, local government and several townspeople who just want their eight seconds of fame.

“We invite the community to the Pike County Cattlemen’s 27 Annual NCPRA Rodeo Friday and Saturday nights at Cattleman Park. The Rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 and $12 at the door. Ages 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are on sale at TB&T main branch, Walker’s Western Wear, Piggly Wiggly locations and Banks Buy Rite.