Rodeo and rides: Civic Center busy this weekend
Published 3:34 am Wednesday, June 26, 2024
- Ready to Rodeo The long awaited, and exhaustively planned Panola County Sheriff’s Rodeo will be the highlight of this extended weekend of activities at the Batesville Civic Center. Three full rodeo shows, and one night of bull riding events, will highlight the North Miss. State Fair begins Thursday. Carnival rides and treats will fill the north parking lot of the arena grounds and parking will be in the south lot. With a heat index touching 105 degrees Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Shane Phelps was on the floor of the Civic Center helping direct the building of cattle chutes and pens and making last minute preparations. Also pictured is Jeremy Smith (left) with Deep South Productions, and Rip Copeland, chaplain at the Sheriff’s Office and event volunteer. Copeland and others will present devotions and staff a tent for attendees who wish to discuss spiritual needs. Besides a community building event, Phelps and other organizers have pledged support from the proceeds for two local ministry outreaches - Encounter/J.R.’s House and The Grace Place. (Staff)
The North Miss. State Fair and the Panola County Sheriff’s Rodeo will kickoff Thursday, with both events running simultaneously through Saturday.
There is no admission charge to enter the Civic Center grounds, including Saturday afternoon wrestling matches and the event finale – a fireworks display to open the Fourth of July activities in Panola County.
Admission to the rodeo shows each night, and Saturday afternoon, are $20 per person and can be purchased at Ticketmaster’s website.
Carnival rides will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and from 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $1 each (rides require multiple tickets) and all-day wristbands can be purchased for $30.
For the rodeo events, doors will open at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday for Mutton Bustin’ where kids 55 pounds and less may ride sheep and goats. Thursday at 7 p.m. will be bull riding only, but the remainder of the weekend’s shows will include a full slate of rodeo events with participants coming from across the country to earn circuit points.
Friday and Saturday Mutton Bustin’ will start at 5:30 p.m. and rodeo time will be 7 p.m. Additionally, there will be a Saturday matinee with Mutton Bustin’ at 11:30 and full rodeo at 1 p.m.
Also on Saturday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., EPW will present a free wrestling show in a standard professional ring that will be set up in front of the Civic Center.
Two live concerts will also be included with the price of rodeo tickets, and will be held following the shows on Thursday and Friday.
Class Act will play Thursday and Shameless – All Star Country Band will be on stage Friday.
Fireworks will follow the Saturday rodeo.
General parking is free and will be easily marked in the south parking lot of the Civic Center. Overflow parking will be available in the grass lot across from Kennel Club restaurant and between the Civic Center and the medical center.
