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Photo by Jackie Jensen Photography A bull rider participates in a professional rodeo in Las Vegas in 2021, similar to the event coming to the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Oct. 21 and 22.
It’s time for rodeo fans to slip on their cowboy boots and head to the Putnam County Fairgrounds for a professional rodeo that begins next week.
The event is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and will take place Oct. 21 and 22, organizers said.
“We want everybody to come because this is an event (for) a child to an elderly person,” said Jade Kitaif, who is in charge of the rodeo’s marketing and promotions. “It’s for all ages. There’s pretty much something for everybody.”
Gates open 5 p.m. both days and the rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-12 and and free for children 3 or younger. Tickets can be purchased at rodeomedia.ticketleap.com/putnam-county-fair-and-rodeo or at the gate.
Event Coordinator Amber Couver encouraged people to stay for a concert from country singer and The Voice finalist Dexter Roberts after the rodeo.
Get to the event early, Couver said, because there will be plenty of vendors, a mechanical bull, food and beverages, bounce houses and other displays.
“We’re going to be able to bring a professional sporting event to Putnam County. We’re looking forward to that,” said JC Kitaif, a member of the organization team. “We’re looking forward to some of that quality of cowboy.”
The rodeo’s elimination round will be Oct. 21 and the finalists will return the following day.
JC Kitaif, a Palatka native, said there is a good market in Putnam County for the sport. Events will include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing, according to the association’s website.
“There’s lots of knowledgeable rodeo fans in the area. … With the fairgrounds as a partner with us, we just thought it was just a jam-up fit,” JC Kitaif said.
He added that this is the first time a professional rodeo will be back at the fairgrounds in the last 25 years. And all organizers are excited for everyone to have a good time.
“It’s going to be more than just a rodeo,” Jade Kitaif said.