A western-style rodeo is stampeding to town this weekend.
The Jefferson County Rodeo will return for its 51st year on Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro.
Gates will open both nights at 5 p.m., while the rodeo itself will begin at 7 p.m.
The public may purchase tickets in advance for a reduced price. For children 9-15, the advance cost is $8, and for those 16 and older, the price is $13. At the gates, ticket prices will cost $10 for those 9-15 and $15 for those 16 and older. Children 8 and younger receive free admission.
“It’s good family entertainment,” event chairman Doug Goforth said. “It’s a place to come see a little bit of the western lifestyle and get a lot of action-packed entertainment.”
Goforth said the public should expect rodeo classics, including bull riding, calf roping and steer wrestling, which are staged by the Wooten Co. Rodeo. The Ozark Renegades, a specialty act, will return following a successful performance last year.
“They do a great job,” Goforth said.
Interactive entertainment also will be held.
“We have a mechanical bull available for rides,” Goforth said.
Both nights will feature music performances from returning groups, Goforth said.
Shannon Cox & The Black Diamond Band will perform from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday night, while the Jonathan Braddy Band will take the stage from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Activities for children, provided by sponsors, will be offered from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, including a cutest cowboy and cowgirl contest at 6 p.m. for children 8 and younger.
Goforth said he expects a large crowd if there are favorable weather conditions, and that could quickly lead to a full parking lot.
“We have been seeing a gradual increase in attendance,” Goforth said.
He said the rodeo will bring “a lot of patriotism and high-energy fun.”
Advance tickets are available for purchase until noon today, June 9, at several locations throughout the Jefferson County area, including Leader Publications, 503 N. Second St., Festus; Champion’s Mercantile, 700 Collins Drive, Festus; Chuck’s Boots, 300 Biltmore Drive, Fenton; the Hillsboro Community Civic Club, 10349 Business 2 (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday); all Jefferson County Enterprise Bank locations. Advance tickets also may be purchased at jeffersoncountyfair.net.
For more information, visit the Jefferson County Rodeo Facebook page or see the website at jeffersoncountyfair.net.