LIMESTONE COUNTY — Plenty of rodeo action is expected to hit the dirt in the north Alabama town of Athens on the third weekend in May. The 42nd annual Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo is set for May 17-18, 2024, and along with two days of rodeo competition, organizers look to engage the community by offering several family-friendly events in the week leading up to the rodeo.
Rodeo week kicks off Tuesday, May 14, 2024, with the Cast Products, Inc. street dance on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse at 6 p.m. Slated to perform is Southern Strays band.
Slack competition for team roping contestants and contestant overflow will take place at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena, located on Hwy. 99, on Thursday, May 16. Gates open at 8 a.m., and the competition begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $5.
The annual Exceptional Needs Rodeo will take place Friday, May 17, 2024, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the arena. This rodeo is for community individuals with special needs. Participants are expected to attend from the entire north Alabama region.
Rodeo’s main events are scheduled for May 17-18. Gates open at 6 p.m. on both nights with competition starting at 8 p.m. Competitive events lined up for both nights include bareback bronc riding, calf roping, break-away roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding.
As cowboys and cowgirls compete for prize money, there will also be professional rodeo clowns, including International Professional Rodeo Association Barrelman Mighty Mike Wentworth in action as well as Specialty Act Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard and Team Ghostriders, chuckwagon races, and other performers.
Winter Timber Outdoors is sponsoring two pistols to be given away on each night of the rodeo. Chances to win are currently being sold for $3 or 4 for $10 at the Sheriff’s Office, Winter Timber Outdoors location and can be purchased both nights of the rodeo. The winner must complete firearm registration at Winter Timber Outdoors before receiving the pistol but does not have to be present at the rodeo to win.
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo committee is working with Turn Key Health Clinics to sponsor two $1,000 scholarships for Athens-Limestone County high school seniors. One FFA student and one 4-H student will be recognized at the rodeo. The deadline for applicants is May 1, 2024. More information on the scholarship opportunities can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024LCSRScholarship
Daily ticket prices are for adults $15 (advance) or $20 (gate) children 12 years and younger $8 (advance) or $12 (gate), and children 3 years and younger free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Limestone County Sheriff’s office and online at https://www.showpass.com/42nd-annual-limestone-sheriffs-rodeo/.
All proceeds are used to purchase equipment for the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. Call (256) 232-0111 or visit www.limestonesheriffrodeo.com for more information.