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Mid-Winter Fair Rodeo kicks off in Lafayette

Posted at 11:09 PM, Jan 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-11 00:09:09-05

Thursday kicked off the first night of the Mid-Winter Fair Rodeo.

The annual event will feature the stars of the professional Rodeo Cowboy Association competing against each other over the next few days.

This is the 67th year for the rodeo, making it the longest-running rodeo in the state.

From saddle bronc riding to roping wild calves, the rodeo puts on quite the show for the fans.

“You see the best of the best. This is professional rodeo. This is the major league of rodeo and you’re seeing it right here in Lafayette,” said the rodeo announcer, Mike Mathis.

Many kids told KATC’s Dannielle Garcia they enjoy watching the horses and the bull riders run around in the arena. And for many families at the rodeo, it’s become a tradition

“We had fun when we were kids so we wanted to bring our kids to keep this tradition going,” said one father who took his kids.

“Just to see the smiles on their faces and to see the excitement they get from seeing the bulls and all that good stuff,” said one mother.

Watching the riders fall and wrestle the livestock might make someone wonder, ‘how on earth the riders do it?’

“People think we’re crazy. I call it the perfect mixture of crazy and stupid sometimes,” said bull rider AJ Ruth.

Those interested in attending the event can do so on Friday and Saturday, January 11 through 12 beginning at 7:30 pm and on Sunday, January 13 the rodeo begins at 2:30 pm.

Tickets are currently on sale online or at the Blackham Coliseum box office. Proceeds from the event go towards granting scholarships to students at UL.