NATCHEZ — The Adams County Sheriff’s Department is bringing a professional rodeo to town April 29 and 30.

The rodeo, sponsored by Great River Chevrolet, will be at The Wayne Johnson covered Arena at 200 Foster Mound Road. The pre-rodeo festivities will start at 7 p.m.

“It’s the first professional rodeo (we have had) in about 10 years,” Captain Randy Freeman said. “After we pay the promoter, the rest of the money will go into a fund for the deputy sheriffs for (things like) vests and guns when the county can’t afford it.”

Freeman said that the last professional rodeo the department had was when Tommy Ferrell was sheriff.

“(We have had) several small (events) since then, but not one on this level,” Freeman said.

Freeman said that current sheriff, Chuck Mayfield, has several goals in mind this time around.

“Sheriff Mayfield wants to give something for the community,” Freeman said. “It gives us time to visit with the community and see their concerns, also (it is a chance for) fellowship and entertainment.”

“There are going to be a lot of officers there so we can talk to (the community) one on one.”

The event will feature a cowboy dance, David Carter and his wild mustang and professional rodeo clown John Brown. Brown will be greeting the public Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at McDonald’s. There will also be a petting zoo, a gold rush and a calf scramble for kids, Freeman said. There will also be a show performed by Native Americans that will have a teepee and one of the performers will jump through a hoop on horseback, Freeman said.

Hannah Belle Southerland, a Christian/country singer from the area will also perform each night.

Bowie’s Tavern will also get into the rodeo action 10:30 p.m. Friday with a “Wrangler Tight Fitting Jean Contest”.

Freeman said there would be several vendors to provide concessions. The rodeo has more than 30 local sponsors.

Freeman said he is hopeful that the turnout will be good, and he thinks this rodeo could be the biggest they have ever had.

“(We used to have) around 1,500 (people) on Friday night and 3,000 for Saturday night. It would be great to have that many (this time),” Freeman said.