The third annual rodeo is returning to Mint Hill again this year. It is going to be another exciting event sponsored by the Mint Hill Historical Society.
The performers are from the South Carolina High School Rodeo Association and every year the event has grown in both popularity and action. For over 40 years the Rodeo Association has been an organization for students all over South Carolina who want to participate in the sport of Rodeo.
This year’s Rodeo event will be bigger and have more events and activities for the entire family to enjoy. In the main event on Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 pm, the participants will be competing for ribbons, trophies and college scholarships. All the riders are talented and very competitive. As in the previous annual events, they will dazzle the audience with their excellent rope skills, riding bucking bulls, roping calves, horseback riding, and much more. There are ten timed events throughout the evening and the competition is fierce.
The students arrive on Friday afternoon after spending a day in the classroom. They really are student-athletes who have very unique skills and talents. The top four contestants in each event every year become eligible to represent the state of South Carolina at the National Finals for Rodeo.
The horses arrive in beautifully enclosed trailers equipped with food, grooming supplies, hand-tooled saddles, and sleeping accommodations for the entire family. All the animals used in the performance are well treated and cared for by trained staff. This includes any medical situations that may arise during a competition, prior, and after as there is always a concern for a creatures safety, overall health, and wellbeing. This is a priority of the Rodeo Association, having well treated and healthy animals is key to their success.
Mint Hill resident, business owner, and horse enthusiast, Hood Dulin, chairs the Annual Rodeo Committee for the Historical Society. For the third straight year, Griffin Masonry is the Gold Sponsor, with Liberty GMC and Showmars as Silver Sponsors.
The two-day event is filled with family fun, including some good food for all to enjoy. Vendors will be available to serve hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, funnel cakes, popcorn, peanuts, tacos, and plenty of cold beverages can all be purchased. Pony rides will be available for the kids, there will be a calf scramble where children chase a calf and try to grab a ribbon off its tail. The winner will receive a cowboy buckle, the event is sponsored by Chic-fil-A located on Albemarle Road.
“The Mint Hill business community and surrounding area businesses have come together to support various projects of the Historical Society. By sponsoring the ten main events each night and by purchasing advertising for the colorful program brochure their support has been fantastic”, said Becky Griffin, Executive Director.
The Rodeo gates will open on Friday night April 26th at 6 p.m. The main event will begin at 8 p.m. On Saturday, gates will open at 9 am, Pee Wees start at 10 a.m., Juniors at 1 p.m. The gates will reopen again at 6 p.m. for the main event at 8 p.m. For more information, call 704-573-0726 or email to historical@bellsouth.net to make contact.
