A “hog-killin” time is sure to be had at the upcoming fourth annual Greenville Heritage Rodeo.
The two-day country western inspired event is set to get started at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 and is being presented by Big Rodeo Project LLC.
Festivities begin with College Day and Rodeo Exhibition from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 31 for youth in grades K-12 and senior citizens.
According to Big Rodeo Project (BRP) president James Hardiman Jr. and vice president Dr. Annie Powell-Williams, the purpose of College Day is simply a means for motivating and inspiring students to start thinking about and planning for college at their present grade level as opposed to waiting until they are at the high school level to seriously think about it.
Hosted by BRP Junior CEO, Kaiuma, the 9-year-old granddaughter of James Hardiman, the event will consist of agricultural colleges and HBCUs along with sororities and fraternities who will communicate with the students about their specific school of interest.
“I made her the junior CEO for the Big Rodeo Project just to start mentoring her and inspiring her to have a business mind, same as my grandmother did for me when I was a child,” Hardiman said.
Admission for this event is free and each student who attends College Day will receive a free ticket for the main rodeo event that following Saturday.
Another reason for Hardiman and Powell wanting to incorporate an event such as College Day into the festivities is because they want to impart what they know is the value of an education and business skills.
“My grandmother ran our farm and each day we would read the almanac, the newspaper and the Bible and she’d help with my homework. She’d have me to help her read the newspaper and almanac to give me assignments to look this up and look that up…if it was something I couldn’t actually understand, she would teach me about it — that’s where I got my first lessons in business — from my grandmother,” Hardiman said.
A meet-n-greet is scheduled later that evening for 7 p.m. at Harlow’s Casino & Resort and another set for 10 p.m. at Garfield’s Restaurant at the Greenville Mall.
While at Harlow’s, spectators, cowboys and cowgirls who are 21 years of age and older can either register in advance or register upon arrival, but registration is required in order to receive a casino card which will have a non-transferable value of $10 to $1,000 and free food.
Garfield’s meet-n-greet beginning at 10 p.m., will be welcoming spectators, cowboys and cowgirls of any age to attend.
Registration is not required, however, anyone who desires an opportunity to win free door prizes and the Western Round-Up best dressed competition is encouraged to register.
Early registration is currently underway now in order to avoid long lines and wait times the day of the event and a chance to win special door prizes.
Justin Hardiman, nationally recognized published professional photographer and nephew of James Hardiman Jr., will be on hand for a limited time at each event to capture digital memories with one’s favorite cowboy, cowgirl or other local figure and dignitaries.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, BRP slack begins.
The trail ride will begin at 2 p.m. followed by goat roping. Other rodeo events and competitions include: relay racing (pony express), steer undercorating, bronc riding, bareback bronc, bull riding, tie-down roping (calf-roping), team roping, barrel racing, break away roping and mutton busting.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the opening ceremony, 7 p.m., with Roscoe Green serving as master of ceremonies and being accompanied by Mayor Errick Simmons and Charleston mayor, Sedrick Smith.
Both the National Anthem and Negro National Anthem will be played at the event, in addition to the recital of the Original Cowboy Prayer.
The anthems are both cello compositions composed by Miss Gabrielle, 13-year-old registered niece of Mr. James Hardiman Jr.
The Cowboy Prayer is to be recited by Mr. Marcous Friday, the famous Rodeo Announcer of Big Rodeo Project-Rodeo, Bill Pickett Rodeo, Okmulgee Rodeo and numerous other rodeos.
Tickets for the event cost $10 in advance for adults and $15 at the gate of entry.
For children ages 4-10, tickets cost $5 in advance and $10 at the gate of entry.
Sponsors and partnerships for Big Rodeo Project include The Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Washington County, City of Greenville, Harlow’s Casino Resort and Spa, Delta Radio Network, Garfield’s, Clark Williams Funeral Home, Simmons and Simmons Attorneys at Law, APW Enterprises, Sunday Best Grenada, Big Rodeo Project-Rodeo, the Delta Hill Riders and a host of other sponsors and supporters.
