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There might not be baseball. There might not be football but there’s gonna be rodeo.

That was the mindset of the Pike County Cattlemen and, on Friday and Saturday nights, there was rodeo in Pike County.

And, it was not just a rodeo; it was a great rodeo, said Cattleman Johnny Garrett.

“We had the biggest Saturday night we’ve ever had with around 3,000 in the arena for the Pike County Cattlemen’s NCPRA Rodeo,” Garrett said. “And, I think we also had the largest number of kids for the Kids Western Festival on Saturday afternoon.

“As for the rodeo, we had 119 cowboys and cowgirls and that was a near record number.  The contestants put on a great show both nights. We had an outstanding rodeo contractor with great animals and one tough bull. Not one of the riders could stay on him.”

Garrett said the Friday night attendance was a little slow at around 1,200-plus.

“With ballgames and, then, the big rain storm that came about the time for the rodeo to start, the crowd was down some, but it was good start the rodeo weekend,” Garrett said. “I believe people were ready to get out and do something fun and rodeo is fun.”

The Pike County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen paid memorial tribute to four of the associations’ most dedicated members with the entry of riderless horses before the Grand Entry each night.

“We paid tribute to Cattlemen Jack Davis, Mike Griffin and Bill Hixon and Cattlewoman Tammy Powell,” Garrett said.

“Jack was the president of our Cattlemen’s association several years and also headed our Ranch Rodeo. Mike helped with the overseeing of the construction of our building and arena. Bill was the main Cattleman for 50 years. He knew all the ropes and we looked to him for anything and everything. Tammy served as president of the Cattlewomen and was a strong supporter of the Cattlemen. She retired as Pike County 4-H extension coordinator. They are all greatly missed.”

Going ahead with the rodeo worked out to be a good decision, Garrett said.

“We appreciate everyone coming out and supporting rodeo and the Pike County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen and, of course, our sponsors that helped make it all possible.”

Garrett said the Pike County Cattlemen’s Association is dedicated to hosting an outstanding rodeo year after year. Doing so starts with a good contractor that bring good stock and a great announcer and a funnier than funny clown.

“We had it all and look forward to the Pike County Cattlemen’s NCPRA Rodeo in 2021.