The Pike County Cattlemen’s Association has embarked on an ambitious journey with plans for this year.

The Cattlemen are undertaking what President Chris Chandler described as a “challenging new adventure.”

Chandler said the Cattlemen’s 20th Annual PCA Rodeo will feature Nashville recording artist and Grammy winning songwriter Jamey Johnson in concert on Saturday night, Aug. 24. The Down Home Boys will be in concert on Friday night, Aug. 23.

Chandler said bringing these top recording artists to the rodeo will be part of the rodeo’s celebration and the first step in forward-ho direction.

It also the beginning of the Cattlemen’s commitment to make rodeo weekend at Cattleman Park a destination event for rodeo fans and country music fans.

“Under the direction of our executive director, Ed Whatley, we are making great strides in bringing events to Cattleman Park that will benefit the entire community,” Chandler said.

Whatley said the Cattlemen are enthusiastic about the journey before them.

“The Cattlemen’s organization is a well-oiled machine that works with county, city and state governments to accomplish great things,” Whatley said.

Whatley said he believes the after-rodeo concerts are “great things” and will be the best tickets in town.

“Friday night at the rodeo is family night,” Whatley said. “We’ll have more arena events for the kids, including mutton busting and the calf scramble. And we’ll have bungee jumping, the moonwalk, and all kinds of games for the kids.”

The Saturday night after-rodeo concert will feature Jamey Johnson, who, Whatley said, loves kids and loves agriculture.

“Jamey has several hit recordings including ‘In Color’ and ‘The Dollar,’” Whatley said. “He wrote ‘Give It Away’ for George Strait and it went to number one and won a Grammy. He co-wrote one that everybody knows, “Honky-Tonk Ba-Donka Donk.’ We are fortunate to have him and excited and honored that he would come.”

Tickets for the Friday events are $12. Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free.

Tickets for the Saturday night rodeo and Jamey Johnson Concert are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free.

Tickets are on sale at Piggly Wiggly stores in Troy and Brundidge and Walker’s Western Wear in Troy.