Plenty of rodeo action is expected to hit the dirt in the north Alabama town of Athens next month. The 41st annual Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo is set for this weekend, and along with two days of high impact rodeo competition, organizers look to engage the community by offering several family-friendly events in the week leading up to the rodeo.
Rodeo week kicked off Tuesday with a street dance on the eastside of the Limestone County Courthouse Square and live music by Section 8 band. In addition to dancing and music, restaurants and merchants around the downtown area will be open for business. Slack competition for team roping contestants and contestant overflow will take place at the arena located on Alabama Highway 99 on Thursday, May 18. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the competition begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $5. The annual Exceptional Needs Rodeo will take place Friday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the arena. This rodeo is specifically for community individuals with special needs.
The main events of the rodeo are scheduled for May 19 and 20. Gates open at 6 p.m. both nights with competition starting at 8 p.m. Competitive events lined up for both nights include bareback bronc riding, calf roping, break-away roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding. As cowboys and cowgirls 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 acts, chuck wagon races and other performers.
Daily ticket prices are adults $15 (advance) or $17 (gate) and children 12 years old and under $10 (advance) or $12 (gate). Tickets may be purchased in advance at Limestone County Sheriff’s office and online (convenience fee charged) at https://limestonesheriffrodeo.com/tickets/.
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