Area welcomes rodeo back for second year

Published 6:00 am Monday, February 21, 2005

Cowboys from across the United States will converge here inearly March for the second annual Brookhaven PRCA Rodeo.

The Brookhaven rodeo, which is part of the Professional RodeoCowboys Association circuit, will be held March 4-5 at the LincolnCounty Multi-Use Facility. The gates will open at 6 p.m. withevents scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

Rodeo competitions at the event include bull riding, calfroping, team roping, women’s barrel racing, bareback riding, saddlebronc, steer wrestling and girl’s break away. A calf scramble alsois scheduled for friendly competition among the children in theaudience.

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Another event open to amateurs of all ages is the open barrelrace. The deadline for entries is Monday, Feb. 28. For moreinformation or to register, call (601) 303-1478.

“We won’t have a list of which cowboys are riding until theMonday before the event,” said Karen Salder, marketing director forthe rodeo.

Salder said several prominent cowboys are expected to ride inthe rodeo but hesitated to name them until they had registered forthe event.

However, Brian Potter of Alabama will again entertain the crowdwith his hilarious stunts as the rodeo clown. He was the chiefclown last year.

“He’s done rodeos all over the United States. He’s been ontelevision. He’s an A-1 act,” Salder said.

Potter will join other rodeo personalities Feb. 3 in visitingchildren in kindergarten through third grade at all city and countyschools, she said. They will also be giving away free tickets tothe children for the Friday night event.

Kelsey Ann Jackson of Brookhaven will sing several songs duringintermission, Salder said.

Traveling vendors will also have Western wear and hats for sale,as well as other favorite festival fare.

Sure to be a hit, Salder said, is the addition of a mechanicalbull ride for all ages.

“We just want to give everyone the chance to bring out that bullrider in them,” she said. “I think it will something everyone canenjoy.”

Tickets for the rodeo go on sale this weekend at Richards Paintand Auto Repair, Rushing’s Boots, Brookhaven Equipment Company andRushing’s Metal Buildings. Tickets will also be available at thegate.