The 55th annual Jefferson County Rodeo will offer fun for all when it rolls into town Friday and Saturday.
The professional rodeo, which will be held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10439 Business 21 in Hillsboro, will also feature live music, concessions, contests, vendors and more.
Gates open at 5 p.m., with the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets are free for children 6 and under, and $5 for children 7-15. Tickets for those 16 and older are $18 in advance and $20 at the gate.
Rodeo chairman Doug Goforth said the rodeo continues to grow each year, with increased seating available thanks to a grant from the Department of Natural Resources.
He said organizers are expecting large crowds again this year.
“Last year, we only had one night of performance because we were rained out on Friday, and we saw almost 11,000 people on Saturday night.”
Goforth said this year’s rodeo will offer more chances to see inside the arena.
“We’ve had small TVs in different places like in our beer tent area, and patio and food court area…so we’re now going to expand that; we’ve actually rented two digital TV walls (with) 9-foot-by-16-foot screens…they’ll be at the north and south ends of the arena.”
He also said more than 40 vendors will be on-site. “When somebody comes to our event, it is putting money directly in the community,” he said.
Eight event categories will be showcased in the rodeo, including bull riding, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling and calf roping.
Goforth said free parking is available at the Hillsboro Elementary, Primary and High school lots, with shuttle buses available.
Four musical acts will perform throughout the weekend.
On Friday, singer/songwriter Scottie Kemp will play from 6-9 p.m. Southern Gypsi will follow from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
From 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Better Class of Losers will take the stage. Well Hungarians will close out the festivities from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Other Saturday activities include “Events for Kid’s” from 5-7 p.m. Then, at 6 p.m., the Cutest Cowboy and Cowgirl contest will be held. Children 8 and under may compete, and each winner will receive a belt buckle provided by Chuck’s Boots.
There will be other featured attractions, including a clown performer, a free petting zoo, a kid’s area with inflatables, a mechanical bull and a bull photo booth.
Specialty act Kole Minor will also be performing his trick roper and whip cracker routine.
No pets, weapons and outside beverages or food will be allowed. To purchase tickets, visit jeffersoncountyfair.net
For more information, visit the Jefferson County Rodeo Facebook page.
See pictures from last year's event:
