Dixie National Rodeo underway at Coliseum. Check out the schedule here

Ed Inman
·4 min read

Cowboys and cowgirls from throughout Mississippi and the mid-south will gather at the Mississippi Coliseum this weekend for opening performances of the 59th annual Dixie National Rodeo.

Described by Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson as “The Greatest Show on Dirt,” the Dixie National is the largest annual rodeo east of the Mississippi River and is part of a larger series of events including livestock shows, the annual Miss Dixie National Rodeo Pageant, and the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions (where Mississippi 4-H and FFA youth exhibit and offer for auction livestock including cattle, goats, sheep and swine).

Kelly M. Tucker, chair of the sales event, welcomed hundreds of the youth participants to the Mississippi Trade Mart Wednesday morning. In addition to more than $8.9 million raised by the sales since 1970.

Scott Wells of Snyder, Texas, and his bull Tomahawk compete in the Bull Riding event at the Dixie National Rodeo at the State Fairgrounds as seen in this file photo from last year's event. This year's event is underway at the Coliseum in Jackson.
Scott Wells of Snyder, Texas, and his bull Tomahawk compete in the Bull Riding event at the Dixie National Rodeo at the State Fairgrounds as seen in this file photo from last year's event. This year's event is underway at the Coliseum in Jackson.

"We also support Mississippi’s youth through scholarships,” she said.

The scholarship program began in 1993 and has to date awarded over $1.1 million to 4-H and FFA youth.

The first of nine rodeo performances over the next two weekends gets underway at 7 p.m. Friday in the Coliseum.

In addition to traditional rodeo competitions such as tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, steer roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing, there will be musical entertainment provided by Conner Smith & Colin Stough as well as a special recognition of the men and women who serve in Mississippi law enforcement.

Then on Saturday morning, Feb. 10 the annual Dixie National Parade will begin at the corner of Mississippi and Jefferson Street featuring the famous Dixie National Wagon Train.

The Mississippi Fire Academy Elite Honor Guard leads off the procession, followed by Commissioner Gipson and an array of antique cars, rodeo queens, decorative floats, mounted horses and marching bands through downtown Jackson.

The parade will encompass the State Capitol, so the best viewing will be near the Capitol grounds at President, High and West Streets.

An awards ceremony will follow with prizes awarded for Best Marching Group; Best Motorized Club; Best Float; and Best Riding Club.

The Commissioner’s Award will also be awarded to the best overall individual or group from the entire parade line-up.

Rodeo action resumes Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.at the Coliseum with musical guest Tracy Byrd.

Additional rodeo performances are scheduled as follows:

  • Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. featuring Chris Cagle.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. featuring Megan Moroney.

  • Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. featuring Sammy Kershaw.

  • Friday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m.  featuring Corey Kent.

  • Saturday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. featuring Parmalee.

A number of special events are also scheduled in conjunction with the rodeo including:

  • Rodeo Days, Feb. 9-11 featuring the ultimate blend of rodeo action and Western shopping. Hours are Friday from noon until 7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

  • Kid’s Day on Feb. 13 from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. This early morning rodeo will be geared toward kids and will include Dusty the rodeo clown, rodeo queens, barrel racing, gift bags and more. Admission is free.

  • Retro Night, 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Coliseum vestibule. This will be a costume contest with the winner receiving a $100 gift certificate to Cavender’s Boot City.

  • The Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo, February 16-18. The expo is described as the largest display of everything for the outdoors ranging from fishing equipment to ATVs, tractors, farm equipment and more. Hours are Friday from noon until 7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets for this event are $15 for adults and $5 for children with kids 5 and under admitted free.

  • Southern AgCredit, a lending cooperative providing financial services tailored to agriculture and rural life is serving as chief sponsor for the 2024 livestock show and rodeo. Officials include: Announcer, Andy Stewart; Production Manager, Jacob Moorhead; Time Keeper, Taylor McNair; Secretary, Donna Austin; Sound Manager, Randy Mayer; Bull Fighters,

  • Cade Parks and Austin Rudloff; Pick-Up Men, Shawn Calhoun and Justin Pender; Rodeo Clown, Dusty Myers; and Special Entertainers, Ryder and Bobby Kerr

— Tickets for each rodeo performance range from $20 to 45 and may be purchased through ticketmaster via the dixienational.org website or at the Coliseum ticket office.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Dixie National Rodeo underway at Coliseum in Jackson MS