By Sabrina Simms

NATCHEZ — Adams County is saddling up for the eighth annual Adams County Sheriff’s Rodeo this weekend.

The gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Wayne Johnson Arena for the event to kick off at 7 p.m. on both nights. Tickets are $12 for adults and free for children under 8 years old.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said the event is geared toward providing a child-friendly and safe environment for all age groups to enjoy.

“Our rodeo is very family oriented,” Patten said. “It’s an alcohol-free event. One thing this community needs is more entertainment for our youth. … It’s full of family fun for everyone.”

Patten said local youth and professional cowboys have signed up to compete in various rodeo competitions, including but not limited to bareback and saddle bronco riding, barrel racing, breakaway and team roping, bull riding and steer wrestling.

Chief Deputy Wayne Rabb said juvenile contestants will get down and dirty and compete with bucking Shetland ponies — which typically stand 28- to 42-inches tall — and in a calf scramble for boys and girls ages 10 years old and younger.

“One boy and one girl will win bicycles,” Rabb said. “Whoever gets the ribbon off of the calf’s tail will win a bicycle.”

Rabb said the rodeo gives local amateurs an opportunity to compete against paid professionals in the rodeo circuit.

He said proceeds from the rodeo contribute the sheriff’s office and local charities. Concession stands, run by the Ironmen ministry, help the elderly and people in need throughout the community.

Patten said more fun activities will be available to keep children entertained, such as wall climbing, bungee jumping, obstacle courses and entertainment from the rodeo clown of the year, Reggie Purvis.

Perhaps equally as thrilling as the rodeo itself is the opportunity to win expensive and sporty outdoor prizes. Last year a participant won a Honda dirt bike — given by Great River Automotive and Outdoors. Patten said they have “upped the ante” this year.

“(Great River) is giving away a chance to win a 2018 Chevy pickup truck. … They’ll have to toss a horseshoe 50 yards. … It’s not an easy one, but it’s doable.”

Participants will have their name drawn from a pre-entry that must be done at the dealership before Friday night, said deputy Karen Ewing who has helped organize the event for the last few months. Those whose names are drawn will toss the horseshoe at an upright horseshoe pole.

“It’s the rodeo version of golf’s hole-in-one,” Ewing said. “It seems far-fetched, but it happens all of the time.”

Patten said he’s hoping someone will actually win the truck and said those who wish to participate must go to the dealership to sign up.

“We’re telling people to go ahead and start practicing,” Patten said. “We’re hoping somebody will win.”

Patten said the sheriff’s office thanks the numerous sponsors, particularly Great River Automotive and Outdoors, who have allowed this event to happen for eight years in the making.

“If it wasn’t for the sponsors, we couldn’t even put on these rodeos,” Patten said. “These rodeos are extremely expensive to put on. … We have people come here from all over to compete.

Patton said he also thanks Wayne Johnson and his family for leasing the arena year after year. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.