LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Rodeo in the Rock is coming to town this weekend.
The rodeo is one of 14 that is put on around the country every year by the International Gay Rodeo Association to raise money for local charities.
The Diamond State Rodeo Association will host the competition at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock.
Organizers of the event say rodeo professionals from all over the United States and Canada will be in attendance.
Rodeo in the Rock has been around since 1994 and is known as ‘Arkansas’ only gay rodeo.’
Professionals in the rodeo industry will be at the fairgrounds on Friday from 9:30 to 3 p.m. to give lessons to anyone 18 or older on calf roping, steer riding and flag racing.
The actual competition will kick off Saturday and go into Sunday.
“Everyone thinks this is a normal rodeo: no,” said Sandy Bidwell, the Diamond State Rodeo Association President. “This is a gay rodeo, but it has everything that a real rodeo has from bull riding, steer riding, chute dogging. We have two special things and that is putting underwear on a goat and winning money and prizes, and tying a bow ribbon on a steer’s tail while somebody tries to hold it.”
Saturday and Sunday will be full of country and western activities, racing, performances and vendors.
Bidwell explained this is not your typical rodeo.
A crowd favorite every year is the “wild drag race” where a team of three people tries to get a drag contestant on the back of a uncooperative steer.
Bidwell, who has been part of the rodeo since 2002, said she cannot seem to leave.
“It is the love of the rodeo,” said Bidwell. “It is the love of the people. Everywhere we go is rodeo family. If you have a problem, no matter what state you are in, you have family to call on. We are the same way here at DSRA.”
Rodeo contestants that win this weekend will go on to the finals in October that will be hosted in Oklahoma.
