Whitley County, dust off your boots and put on your cowboy hats because the rodeo is coming to town.
Owner of Eversole Family Farms, Dennis Eversole, has been working with Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. to bring more family-friendly entertainment options to the Whitley County Fairgrounds.
“I got tired of my kids saying there’s nothing to do in the county,” said Eversole. “So I had some friends that I’ve rodeo’d with in the past and approached them to see if they would be interested in bringing an actual full rodeo, not just bull riding.”
Two companies will be bringing their livestock to the fairgrounds for weekends filled with live rodeo entertainment – Tight & Tough Rodeo Company from Dandridge, Tennessee and Spur’n S Rodeo from Rutledge, Tennessee. Eversole noted that Spur’n S Rodeo is known for performing at the famous Tennessee Valley Fair.
The rodeo shows will feature live bareback, saddle bronc, team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping, stir roping, team roping, and bull riding.
“We’re trying to get a few other things going,” Eversole said. “We’re gonna put on some horse shows at the Whitley fairgrounds and some barrel race and pole bending at Legion Field in Barbourville.” He added, “There will be something for somebody every weekend!”
Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-28) will be the first Rodeo show at the Whitley County Fairgrounds. The following weekend will be a horse show on June 3-4 at Whitley County Fairgrounds.
Then some barrel races and pole bending will take place at Legion Field in Barbourville on Saturday, June 11.
Admission cost has yet to be determined.
More updates, such as event times and admission costs will be updated on Facebook.
Eversole also mentioned he is looking for sponsors for the upcoming rodeo events.
If you or your business would like to sponsor the event or donate, contact Eversole at (606) 765-0248 or email him at eversoledennis@gmail.com and add “sponsorship” in the subject line.
Samantha Walden, Staff Writer at the Kentucky Daily