Grab your cowboy hat and boots. A new rodeo benefitting Lowndes County nonprofits is coming next month, bringing with it a night of fast-paced action.
Mississippi State University Extension Agriculture Agent for Lowndes and Noxubee Counties Josh Tilley said the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo, slated for June 27 and 28, will include saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, breakaway roping, team roping, barrel racing, and, of course, bull riding.
“It’s very fast-paced,” Tilley said. “There’s a lot of action going on. There’s something happening all the time. And even in times in between events, when they’re getting ready to go from one event to the next, there’s going to be things for the kids to come and do.”
Gates will open at 5 p.m. each night, with action beginning at 7 at the Lowndes County Arena and Pavilion, located at 485 Tom Rose Road in Columbus, off of Highway 182.
Steve Greenough, chairman for the rodeo committee, said Tilley originally brought the idea to hold a rodeo to him and others back in February. The committee is now hosting the benefit under the county’s “umbrella” as a fundraiser for a variety of local nonprofits.
The first iteration of the rodeo will benefit United Way of the Golden Triangle Region, Loaves and Fishes of Lowndes County, the Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Department Honor Guard and the Lowndes County Master Gardeners Scholarship Fund.
Members of those groups will also be volunteering in roles throughout the two nights, including manning the concessions stand – with those profits also going to the beneficiaries, Tilley said.
“Having all the profits of the rodeo stay here to benefit some of these nonprofit organizations will be a good plus for our community as well,” Tilley said.
“It’s community planned, community worked and community benefit,” Tilley added.
The goal, Greenough said, is to establish the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo as an annual event that fundraises for different nonprofits each year, along with creating a family-friendly event during the summer.
“If we’re a success, then next year we’ll do the same thing again and we’ll have four more charities that will benefit from the rodeo,” Greenough said.
Since the committee is operating under the banner of the county, Greenough said, it went through a standard bidding process with members of the Professional Cowboy Association, eventually choosing Luke Lummus Productions to provide the entertainment at the event. The production company will also provide activities for children between the main events, Greenough said.
Besides the main source of entertainment, there will also be vendors on site both nights, with ice cream, snow cones, and merchandise, Tilley said.
Tickets will be $20 and will be available on site, Greenough said.
“I’m not a rodeo guy. I’m from England. I don’t know what rodeos are,” Greenough said. “But I’m excited to be a part of this one, because I think it will be a fun event for the whole family, and I wish everybody would come out here, support your local organizations that are going to benefit from it, and let’s make it a great success.”
Greenough said the committee is still looking for sponsors for the event, though time is short. For more information on the rodeo, call the Lowndes County Extension Office at (662) 328-2111.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
