By NATHAN HOWELL / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The city of Columbiana is set to host the 11th annual Cowboy Day on Feb. 23 and the 32nd annual Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association Rodeo Feb. 22-23.

Both of the events will provide visitors with an exciting experience that showcases the skill and hard work of cattlemen and will provide a weekend of family fun and entertainment.

Cattlemen’s Association President Clifton Garrett described the rodeo as a two-day event that will showcase the exciting skills of cattlemen and will feature “bull riding, bronc riding, steer roping, team roping and barrel racing.”

“We like to give back to the community,” said Garrett. “We support FFA and the 4H kids in the community, so the more people that come to the rodeo and help us makes it easier for us to help them.”

The event will also feature a “special needs rodeo” on Saturday, which will give those with special needs the opportunity to participate in a softer version of a rodeo. This section will feature a “petting farm, a small rodeo performance, roping and barrel racing and a clown performance,” according to Garrett.

The rodeo will be held at the Shelby County Exhibition Center.

In past years Cowboy Day generally happened the week prior to the rodeo, but this year it will coincide with the second day of the rodeo. It will feature a wide range of fun activities and entertainment for the whole family. There will be musical performances from Randy Glenn and Band, Leah Slaughter and Willie Traywick.

The event will feature a chili cook-off contest and the “3rd Annual Corn Hole Tournament,” which involves tossing a large sack of corn seed. There will be a parade through Main Street at 2:30 p.m. that anyone is welcome to participate in.

Admission for the rodeo is $15 for adults, $10 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under.

More information about the events can be found at Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association’s Facebook page.