Saddle up! Annual Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo rides into Athens in May

ATHENS – It’s about to get down and dirty … rodeo style.

The Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo rides into town next month with its high-impact competition along with family-friendly events in the week leading up to the 42nd annual event.

Rodeo week kicks off May 14 with the Cast Products street dance on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse at 6 p.m. with music from the Southern Strays.

Slack competition for team roping contestants and contestant overflow will take place May 16. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the competition begins at 9. Admission is $5. The arena is on Alabama Highway 99.

The annual Exceptional Needs Rodeo – sponsored by Allen Brown Heating & Cooling, American Detention Services, Athens Rotary Club, Grayson Bailey Landscaping, Redstone Federal Credit Union, and Grayson Carter and Son Contracting – will take place May 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the arena.

Rodeo’s main events are scheduled for May 17 and 18. Gates open at 6 p.m. and competition starts at 8. Events include bareback bronc riding, calf roping, break-away roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding.

As the riders compete for prize money, the crowd is also entertained with professional rodeo clowns, including International Professional Rodeo Association Barrelman Mighty Mike Wentworth in action as well as Specialty Act Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard & Team Ghostriders, chuckwagon races, and other performers.

Major sponsors for this year’s rodeo are Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Combined Public Communications, Flanagan Lumber, Halsey Food Service, H&R Agri-Power, Lynn Layton Chevrolet, Legacy Commissary Services, Pepsi and Dream Key Real Estate.

Ticket prices are for adults $15 (advance) and $20 (gate); children 12 years and under are $8 (advance) or $12 (gate); children 3 years and under are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at the Limestone County Sheriff’s office and online here.

All proceeds are used to purchase equipment for the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. For information, call 256-232-0111 or visit www.limestonesheriffrodeo.com.