According to the Collins English Dictionary, a rodeo is a public entertainment event in which cowboys show different skills, including riding wild horses and catching cattle with ropes.

That definition does not do justice to the Pike County Cattlemen’s Annual NCPRA Rodeo that opens Friday night at Cattlemen Park and continues on Saturday, said B.B. Palmer, rodeo publicity chair.

“A rodeo is fun, exciting, family entertainment,” Palmer said. “It’s ridin’ and ropin’ and clowns and popcorn and kids in boots and cowboy hats. And, you’re so close to the action in the arena that you can hear the horses’ hooves and see the dust flying.  Rodeo is the real.”

And, this year’s Pike County Cattlemen’s Rodeo features 228 of the best cowboys and cowgirls on the circuit.

“This is the most cowboys and cowgirls we’ve ever had or the most I’ve ever known about,” Palmer said. “We’re expecting strong competition in all the events. We’ll have all the traditional rodeo events, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing.

“And we have one of the best rodeo clowns in the business. Jake Wilcox changes his act every season and he’s as funny as a clown can be. And, our announcer, Clint Allemand is unique in that he’s out in the arena on a horse keeping the audience informed throughout the rodeo. There’s no dead time with Jake and Clint in the arena.”

A special event at the Pike County Cattlemen’s rodeo is the calf scramble for kids that is held at intermission usually around 8:30 or 9 p.m. followed by barrel racing and bull riding.

Tonight’s rodeo opens at 5 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the rodeo will feature the Kids’ Western Festival at 5 p.m. with mutton bustin’, wagon rides, calf scramble, stick horse racing and all around fun. The gates on Saturday will open at 4 p.m. with the rodeo chutes opening at 7:30 p.m.

“Both nights we’ll have pony rides for kids and vendors inside with all kinds of western items – cowboy hats, pictures, bandannas, jewelry, just anything western you can imagine,” Palmer said.

“Come to the Pike County Cattlemen’s Rodeo this weekend and come hungry. We’ll have a great concession stand with 100 percent beef hamburgers and hotdogs, snacks and cold, cold drinks. It’s going to be a great weekend for rodeo. Don’t miss it!”

Advance tickets are $10 and are available TB&T main branch, Walker’s Western Wear, Piggly Wiggly locations and Banks Buy Rite.

Tickets at the door are $12. Ages 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.