Kicking Up Dust: Statesboro’s Weekend Rodeo Roundup

By Makayla Varner

STATESBORO, GA — The Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo hit the arena this past weekend at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex. 

The gates opened at 5:30 p.m., and guests rolled in sporting their finest cowboy attire—hats, boots and plenty of bell-bottom jeans. 

Miss Rodeo USA also made a special appearance at the rodeo, adding a touch of excitement for guests as she greeted the crowd, signed autographs and took photos with fans at the end of the night.

Food trucks lined the side of the complex, selling funnel cakes, shaved ice, catfish, hushpuppies, Mexican dishes and ice cream. Retail vendors lined up the opposite side of the food trucks, selling an array of western-themed products such as belts, boots and cow antlers.

The Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo didn’t forget the kids, though—they provided bouncy houses, face painting and even some events for the children to participate in throughout the rodeo.

Two of the events for the children include finding a prize in a haystack and chasing a young calf around the arena in an attempt to get the ribbon off its tail; both activities rewarded the winners with a prize!

Other events in the rodeo include bareback riding, calf tie-down, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping, team roping and the two crowd favorites: barrel racing and bull riding.

The rodeo officially kicked off at about 7:30 p.m. As the air buzzed with excitement, guests lined the bleachers, singing along to the songs echoing throughout the complex and cheering when a rider hit the eight-second mark during bull riding.

About halfway through the night, an intermission will allow guests to get some food, water and to stretch their legs as the rodeo sets up for the final acts to close the night off.