COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association is gearing up to host its 31st annual rodeo at the Shelby County Exhibition Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24.

According to Cattlemen’s Association President Clifton Garrett, the rodeo is a sporting event that will include bull riding, bronc riding, steer roping and other events.

“A lot of this originates from the frontier and how cowboys worked with their animals,” Clifton Garrett said.

During the rodeo, Jolye Durrett will pass on her title as the Miss Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association Rodeo Queen to a new pageant winner. Shelby County Cattlewomen’s Association President Ritcha Garrett said this is the second year for Shelby County to have its own Rodeo Queen.

“We’ve had queens visit from other areas in the past,” Ritcha Garrett said. “The girls that came loved our atmosphere and wanted us to have one, too.”

Ritcha Garrett said the event will also include a rodeo for those with special needs, beginning at noon on Feb. 24. The special needs rodeo will include lunch, a petting zoo and more sensory friendly rodeo events.

“This is something that we have set in our hearts, year after year,” Ritcha Garrett said. “A lot of the rodeo events might be too intense, but we wanted to do something special for people with special needs.”

Clifton Garrett said tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children and are free for kids under the age of six. All of the proceeds, he said, will benefit the Cattlemen’s Association or youth programs in the community.

“We like for people to support us so that we can support others,” Clifton Garrett said. “The youth is the future of our community and our state. One of the goals that I have is to get more youth involved in agriculture.”

Mayor Stancil Handley fully endorsed the rodeo, stating that he is proud that it takes place in Columbiana each year.

“It’s one of the best rodeos of its size in the Southeast,” Handley said. “It’s always a quality rodeo.”

Clifton Garrett said more information about the rodeo can be found on the Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association’s Facebook page, and encouraged anyone with questions to contact them via Messenger.