Kids’ Western Festival features Muttonbustin – The Troy Messenger

The Kids’ Western Festival features Muttonbustin

Published 5:23 p.m. Thursday 18 August 2022

There’s a little cowboy/cowgirl in almost every little kid. So when it’s rodeo time in Pike County, the kids start “fighting.”

“There’s just something about the rodeo that kids love,” said BB Palmer, publicity chairman for the Pike County Cattlemen’s Association, sponsor of the annual professional rodeo held August 26-27.

“Kids love to put on their cowboy hats and boots and come to the rodeo,” Palmer said. “So, on the Saturday night of rodeo weekend, the Pike County Cattlemen hold the kids-only Western Festival.

Gates open at 4pm and there will be a fun filled arena for little cowboys and cowgirls.

There will be stick horse racing, bull roping, pop gun shooting, face painting, ring tossing and of course the granddaddy of kids rodeo, Mutton Bustin! said Palmer.

“Mutton’ bustin’ is the kid’s version of bull riding,” he said. “Instead of a bull, the children ride a sheep. They come out of the slide on a bucking sheep. It’s an exciting ride for the kids and exciting to watch.”

Palmer said the kids’ western rodeo is free and good family fun.

“We are inviting and encouraging families to come out and enjoy the Western Rodeo on Saturday afternoon, August 27th, and then stay for the Cattlemen’s Professional Rodeo, which starts at 7:00 p.m..”

Advance tickets to the Pike County Cattlemen’s Professional Rodeo are $10 and are available from Don Walker’s Western Wear, TB&T Main Branch, Piggly Wiggly in Brundidge and Banks Buy Rite in Banks.

Tickets at the box office are $12. Children under the age of 12 have free entry when accompanied by an adult.