By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The Shelby County Cattlemen’s 26th Annual Rodeo is coming to town! This award winning rodeo has it all — in a family friendly, affordable, safe environment. A highlight in Shelby County since 1989, more than 25,000 people have attended.

The rodeo is Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults; $8 children 6-12; and under 6 free. The rodeo is held at the Shelby County Exhibition Center on Alabama 70 at 86 Argo Road, Columbiana.

All the major rodeo events will compete: calf roping; bull riding; team roping; steer wrestling; bare back riding; chuck wagon races; cowgirls barrel racing; cowgirls breakaway roping; saddle bronc riding; clowns; entertainment; food and commercial vendors. There is also handicap access.

The Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association is led by fantastic leadership: President Sam Bristow; 1st Vice President Joe Tidmore, Jr.; 2nd Vice President Harold Hughes (Rodeo Chair); Treasurer Leland Atchison; and Secretary Nancy Simmer. Recently they held their annual banquet at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana that was well attended with grilled steaks! Ken Treadaway Rodeo LLC is the stock contractor for the rodeo.

Be sure you go visit the Gallery Exhibit on Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Shelby County Arts Council on Mildred Street across from Columbiana City Hall behind Bernie’s to celebrate the lifestyle of cowboys and the Wild West with the historical quilt exhibit by local artists as Sarah Atchison, Duffy Morrison, Judi Elliott, Agnes Poole and First Lady Dianne Bentley, as well as bronze Remington statues.

The two weekends in February are highlights of the Robinson family tradition starting with Cowboy Day the weekend before the rodeo and then coming to the rodeo as a family. For two weekends, my young grands along with my husband, son and daughter-in-law come to Columbiana and just enjoy the events.

How blessed we are to live in Columbiana to enjoy fun family friendly events as Cowboy Day and the rodeo. Won’t you come this year? I promise a great time.

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.