NATCHEZ — Cars lined the streets of Foster Mound road Friday and Saturday nights as hundreds of Natchezians piled into The Wayne Johnson Covered Arena to see the Adams County Deputy Sheriff’s Pro Rodeo.

The event drew huge crowds and Sheriff Chuck Mayfield was thrilled with the turnout, he said.

“I’m excited, it’s something we have been trying to put together for a-year-and-a-half,” Mayfield said.

“It’s a dream come true for me to have something of this magnitude for the community. The whole department is really excited about it.”

Mayfield and the other officers even helped kickoff the event with a presentation of the flags of the U.S. Armed Forces by the Adams County Mounted Patrol.

Mayfield said the event was aimed at entertainment for the whole family.

“It’s a family-oriented (event), with entertainment that is safe for adults and kids to enjoy,” Mayfield said.

Local horseman and director of the Adams County Extension Service, David Carter, was also there to perform with his formerly wild mustang.

“(This event) is phenomenal,” Carter said. “Its good to (have our efforts) validated by this many people (coming out). Obviously (Natchez) is somewhat of a rodeo town.”

Carter said he was excited and a bit nervous to perform in front of the Natchez crowd.

“It’s a little nerve-racking (to perform) in your hometown. If you mess up everybody knows you,” Carter said.

The tri-state rodeo featured a performance called “The Lone Indian Chief” by Willard Powell and his horse Ghost Dancer. Powell is a horse-trainer and skilled rider, who makes Ghost Dancer dance and walk on his hind legs.

Competitions also included barrel racing, bull riding, bareback riding and calf roping with cowboys from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Area singer/songwriter Hanna Belle Southerland performed to open up the show. Rodeo Clown John Brown performed in between the rodeo competitions.

If the kids did not enjoy the bucking broncos and bull riding, there were calmer, gentler animals there for them to see.

The event featured a petting zoo with a piglet, baby goat, miniature donkey and two miniature horses. Kids could also ride a horse or ponies.

Natchez native Chasity Webb and her kids Sebastian Webb, 4, and Callie McElroy, 6, got to the event a little after it started and their first stop was the pony rides, Chasity said.

“My little girl loves horses and rodeos,” Chasity said. “We were going to come (Saturday) but she wanted to come (Friday), so we are going to come both nights.”

“It’s not often Natchez gets to have this stuff.”

The sheriff’s department was also having a $3 raffle to win a colt at the rodeo and that attracted 6-year-old McElroy’s attention.

“I like rodeos. It’s fun and I’m winning that horse,” McElroy said.

Thompson Head Start administrative assistant Jessie Singleton was also there with her great-grandchildren Kyra and Kilya, both 3, and they too were enjoying the petting zoo.

“(We wanted) to make it a family night. They are having the time of their lives,” Jessie said.

Mayfield said the money raised for the sheriff’s department would go to the deputy sheriff’s fund.

Captain Randy Freeman was impressed with the attendance and support for the event.

“We couldn’t have done it without our supporters, sponsors and the crowd,” Freeman said. “We’re still trying to get (the rodeo) organized. We’re (going) to do another one next year.”