The Ed Brown ChampionShip Rodeo in Blacksburg, South Carolina: 42 Years and Counting

Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages come to compete in the championship rodeo, some traveling from as far away as Oklahoma, Ohio and Texas. A lot of spectators go to watch the roping, the bull riding and trick riding; the ferris wheel and other rides are popular with children and the hotdog and fried potatoes permeate the air, providing a festive and fair-like atmosphere.

Ed Brown Championship Rodeo

The Ed Brown Rodeo is held the first weekend every August, with crowds of 10,000 to 15,000 swelling the town of Blacksburg, which has a couple of thousand residents. Ed Brown puts on the rodeo along with sons Timmy and Chucky Brown. This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the rodeo and will be August 6th and 7th.

I've attended the rodeo a few times over the past five or six years, and it's not a bad way to spend a Saturday night. The bleachers are situated on a hill surrounding the arena, so you can sit as close or as far away as you like and still see everything. Events include bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and steer wrestling.

Rodeo Clowns at the Rodeo--Send Them In

In addition to the hard riding cowboys and cowgirls, the rodeo clown cracks jokes, spitting them out faster than the bulls busts out of the gates. Then he has to run from the bulls. Luckily he iis quite adept at getting out of the way just in time.

Sweltering Summer Heat And Thunderstorms

It's usually sweltering in August, even in the evening, but some folks wear their cowboy hats, boots and jeans while others wear shorts and flip-flops. It rained one year, which might have been welcome if it hadn't turned into a gullywasher compete with lightning strikes that sent most of us running for our cars.

After the rain stopped, we returned to the arena and the show went on. I ruined a pair of turquoise blue sandals that night; when they began squirting mud with every step I took, I knew I wouldn't be wearing them again.

Buy Me Some Taters and Crackerjack....

Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to the rodeo without the thin cut, curly fries they sell. We usually get a couple of orders to share, but there are other goodies, including hotdogs, burgers, turkey legs, corn-on-the cob and funnel cakes. Other vendors sell T-shirts and cowboy paraphernalia

The Ed Brown Rodeo is definitely a family affair, with all ages attending from babes in arms to grandmas and grandpas. Just be prepared for hot weather and summer thunderstorms.

Ed Brown Rodeo
633 S Charleston ST
Blacksburg, SC 29702
Phone: 864-839-6239

Advance tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for children 4 to 12. Tickets at the gate are $20 for adults and $10 for children 4 to 12. Advance tickets can be purchased at Tractor Supply in York, Country Supply and Lebo's, both in Rock Hill.

Information for Rodeo Participants:

AUG 6-7

BLACKSBURG, SC[B] IPRA/NCA
Ed Brown's 42nd Annual Ipra Championship Rodeo
PERFS: Two: Aug 6-7 8pm BB, BR, SB, CR, SW, CBR $950. adm - $55. EF - Total $5,700.
HQ INFO: Books open Mon., Aug. 2 8 a.m. CST
Books close Mon., Aug. 2 5 p.m. CST
Phone: 800-639-9002
Permits, locals, & youth cards accepted-CES $8.00
Outdoor arena
STK CONT: Ken Treadway Rodeo Company,LLC

www.goupstate.com
www.iprarodeo.com
http://www.ncarodeo.com/upcoming.asp