For the past 10 years, the Professional Cowboy Association has made its way to Pearl River County for the annual Thunder in the Pearl Rodeo at the Poplarville Fairgrounds.
This year will be no different. A group of professional riders, from Pearl River County to the Gulf Coast, will compete in the event, County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin said.
This year, the rodeo will be held in conjunction with the Blueberry Jubilee, beginning June 9 at 8 p.m. and continuing the same day as the Jubilee on June 10, he said.
By working with the PCA, the county has been able to keep the event going for a decade, increasing tourism to the area, Lumpkin said.
The aim is to put on a “first-class show,” with something for everyone to enjoy, he said.
The event brings visitors from outside the county, both spectators and competitors, Lumpkin said.
“If you think about it, if you have 100 trucks with trailers come in, they are leaving tax dollars here,” he said.
The event also offers local residents a chance to see a professional rodeo close to home, Lumpkin said.
Through the years, the county has added new barns, bathrooms and concession stands to help make the fairgrounds the best it can be, he said.
“We invite everybody to come out and enjoy the fun,” Lumpkin said.
The fairgrounds can be found on Highway 26 West near the intersection of Highway 11.
For entry information, visit https://www.pcarodeo.com/rodeo/category/rodeos/.