As the Second Annual Ole Brook Frontier Days PRCA Pro Rodeomakes its way to town Friday, so will hundreds of cowboys and theirfamilies, bringing nice benefits to area merchants.

“The rodeo has a good economic impact on the area,” saidBrookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce executive vicepresident Chandler Russ.

The two-night event, which begins with entertainment at 7 p.m.Friday and Saturday, will bring some of the biggest names in rodeoto the area for a chance to score points in their efforts to reachthe national finals.

Top-ranking participants will compete in calf roping, bullriding, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, teamroping and bareback riding.

“It’s a good quality rodeo with lots of good qualityparticipants. I think it will be entertaining for everyone,” saidRuss.

Local residents have also shown that they expect a good show bypurchasing over 200 tickets in advance at area businesses.

Most rodeo-goers will be Lincoln County residents, but localmerchants have noted that many ticket purchasers have come fromneighboring counties.

Russ pointed out that the visitors from other counties as wellas the visitors from other states via rodeo participants willbenefit a number of businesses.

“It’s always going to be beneficial to area merchants,especially restaurants and hotels, when we have a big two-day eventlike this,” he commented.

The Lincoln County Multi-Use Facility on Beltline Road, whichwill be the site of the rodeo, has hosted a number of events thathave brought economic benefits to the area, said Russ.

“It’s so nice to have such a good facility that attracts eventslike the rodeo,” he added.

A few Brookhaven businesses got into the spirit of the rodeoFriday by greeting customers with twangy voices, big cowboy hatsand boots as part of the chamber’s western day.

“The rodeo officials will come out and judge the businesses thatparticipate,” said Russ.

Those cowboy outfits will only be a preview of things to comeduring the rodeo. Rodeo officials anticipate a large turnout forthe event, which will also feature local barrel racers.

“It’s something we want to see grow and continue to develop,”said Russ.