The Rotary Classic Rodeo to return Starkville in 2022

After a year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Rotary Classic Rodeo will be back in February 2022. The rodeo will return to the Mississippi Horse Park on February 11 and 12, the Friday and Saturday before Valentine’s Day.

These dates coincide with the end of the PRCA (Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association) Dixie National Rodeo that runs from February 6 to 12 in Jackson. The first night of the rodeo is kids night, where all children ages 12 and under get in for free. Saturday will be packed full of events with slack, a time where those who do not make the main event have an opportunity to get points, in the morning, a petting zoo and pony rides for children that starts at 5 p.m., and the rodeo that starts at 7 p.m.

“This is our 15th year this rodeo has been going on. It’s a pretty exciting time, and over the years, I’m thankful that we have a club that supports this activity,” Zach Rowland, who is on the rodeo committee, said to the Starkville Rotary Club on Monday.”we have bull riding, we have all the events. I think that’s one of the things that really draws people in. It’s at the Horse Park. It is an outstanding facility and is probably one of the finest facilities in the southeast. Bricklee [Miller] has done a great job of managing that operation out there. You know, it’s unique in that the Horse Park is a collaboration between the city, the county, and the university.”

The last Rotary Classic Rodeo was in February 2020, right before the pandemic hit, but there was still a large turnout for Starkville Rotary Club. There were over 6,000 spectators and 350 contestants with four countries represented among them. There were seven total events: bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, and barrel racing.

If 2020 was any indication on how big the 2022 rodeo will be, picture bigger. More people will want to be out and experience fun again, so there is sure to be a large crowd in Starkville that Valentine’s Day weekend.

The Rotary Classic Rodeo is open for all to attend, and it is a familyoriented event. There will be concessions with delicious food such as everyone’s favorite - cheese fries. The funds from the rodeo and the concessions will all go to the Rotary Club which helps many different organizations and causes around Oktibbeha County.

“The rodeo is a familyoriented event, and we cater to a very wide demographic. It is very exciting to see that happen

and that over the years it has become more and more diverse and inclusive,” Rowland said. “This is one of our big events that generates the funds for our club so that we can go out and do our charity operations and advance and support those community endeavors and organizations.”

There are sponsorship opportunities available, and they range from $250 to $2,500. Over the coming months, signs will begin to pop up around town from local media to word of mouth to flyers in your favorite stores around town.

There are many ways to sponsor the rodeo. It can be through a business, through your own personal donation, in memory of someone who has passed, or just because you like and missed the rodeo. If interested in sponsoring the 2022 Rotary Classic

Rodeo, send a message to starkvillerotary@gmail.com.

Mark the date in your calendar, and make a fun Valentine’s Day weekend out of going to the 15th Rotary Classic Rodeo on February 11 and 12 at the Mississippi Horse Park.