NATCHEZ — The 9th Annual Adams County Deputy Sheriff Pro Rodeo is a couple of weeks away, and people in attendance won’t be the only ones able to see the event this year.

An up-and coming television broadcasting station called The Rodeo Channel will host the event live on their network, said Robbie Thomas of the TNT Rodeo Company.

The Rodeo Channel launched Jan. 1 and has since become available for viewing on several digital television platforms, primarily broadcast on IPTV, OTT, WEBTV and social media, said network owner and creator, Richard Stephens.

During the sheriff’s rodeo starting at 7:30 p.m. May 17 and May 18, Stephens said he would be joined by his cohosts and former rodeo athletes, Jerry Don Galloway, Roy G. Carter and Larry Lane at the Wayne Johnson Arena, 200 Foster Mound Road, Natchez.

“We’re brand new and totally dedicated to rodeo and western lifestyles,” Stephens said of the Rodeo Channel.

The crew would also be giving away Resistol cowboy hats and other prizes to winners of the best ride of the night and best fan of the night as well as a “hard luck” award for the “guy who stumps his toe or gets a black eye,” Galloway said.

“I’ve got a lot of good friends in Mississippi,” Galloway said. “I fought bulls in the Southeast for 25 years.”

Adam’s County Sheriff Travis Patten said the publicity is a huge milestone for the annual rodeo.

“For the past nine years, we’ve had several people give the rodeo unwavering support,” Patten said. “We have a ton of sponsors, the largest being Great River (Automotive.) … Now everyone participating in this rodeo will be broadcast on a national level.”

Patten said this year’s event would feature two headlining acts by Sid McFarland and Jeanie Jones as well as pony rides, climbing wall and a variety of food vendors.

The gates open at 6 p.m. on May 17 and May 18, Patten said, and tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children under 8 years old.

“I’m extremely excited for our sheriff’s deputies, all of our sponsors, and all of the cowboys and cowgirls who will be participating in the rodeo,” Patten  said. “We have a wonderful community here, and we want to show it off for everyone to see. … It’s good, clean fun — full of law enforcement officers and first responders — and we would like the community to come out and support it.”