The Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Rodeo sponsored by Great River Chevrolet celebrates its fourth year of ropin’ and ridin’— and you’re invited.

Mosey on down to the Wayne Johnson Covered Arena, 200 Foster Mound Road, to cheer on some of the country’s best bull fighters, bull riders, bare back bronc riders, tie down ropers, barrel racers and steer wrestlers.

This year’s rodeo will feature champion bullfighters and genuine fighting bulls. Watch these incredibly agile athletes play the world’s most dangerous game of tag with 2,000 pounds of rip-snortin’ bovine. Champion bullfighter, Cody Castro, 10-time top bullfighter of the year in the Tri State Rodeo Association will thrill you with his signature moves and daredevil spirit.

But it’s not all rough-and-rowdy — you can get a gander at Miss Rodeo America, Paige Nicholson, from Lawrence  — a beauty inside and out and accomplished rider. We’ll also feature equestrian soprano, Gabrielle Richardson from Rodney.

And that ain’t all. Fan favorite and three-time Pro-Rodeo entertainer of the year, Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey, will ride his trusty Border Collie mount, Boogie. Whiplash is a Capuchin Monkey who has been riding since he was two years old. He travels the country herding wild Barbados sheep at rodeos and events. His riding ability is unmatched and his herding skills unchallenged. Whiplash never misses a chance to show his skills and cowboy spirit as he rides his trusty Border Collie mount, Boogie.

Whiplash has entertained crowds at rodeos, ball games and events all across North America and Europe. In 2004, he starred in a series of television advertisements for the fast food chain Taco John’s.

He has also appeared on ESPN, Good Morning America and The Today Show. On Jan. 29, 2009, Whiplash was knighted in St. Paul, Minn., by the St. Paul Winter Carnival royalty near the Xcel Energy Center as part of the Toughest Cowboy event. Whiplash has over 7 million views on YouTube.

Talk about tons of kiddie fun. We’ll have a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, a giant floating hamster ball, a gold rush dig and a trapeze, and plenty of great food at the concession stand.

On Friday, from 11 a.m. to noon at Great River Chevrolet on D’Evereaux Drive, you can register to win family packages of tickets, 4 per package, and meet Rudy Burns, World Champion rodeo clown, Miss Rodeo America and the actual bulls.

All proceeds from the rodeo benefit the Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Fund, which subsidizes law-enforcement equipment purchases. The concessions at the rodeo benefit the Adams County Search and Rescue Team.

The fourth annual Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Rodeo will be at 7 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Wayne Johnson Covered Arena on Foster Mound Road in Natchez. The gate opens at 5:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets are available for advance purchase at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, 306 State St. and Gamberi Feed and Farm Supply on Morgantown Road. Advance ticket prices are $10 for adults and $7 for kids, or at the gate $12 for adults and $8 for kids.

For more information, call the Adams County Sheriff’s Office at 601-442-2752.

 

Courtney Taylor is the public information officer for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.