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For the past 45
years, on one Satur-
day in October, the
county fairgrounds has given
youngsters a chance to be a cowboy or cowgirl, a
rodeo star. It’s the Jefferson County Cowdeo.
On Oct. 23, 112 kids ranging in age from 5 to 14
kicked up arena dirt. The youngest kids — starry-
eyed, thrilled to be there — rode sheep, decorated
goats and chased chickens and rabbits.
But the Cowdeo isn’t just little britches wearing
their first pair of boots. There’s some good young
talent participating. You can watch promising young
cowboys, maybe future rough stock riders, fighting to
stay atop some powerful cows unhappy to be there.
There are more than a couple young cowgirls riding
stock and flying around barrels, too.
The Cowdeo is one of the longest running youth
rodeo events in the state. It’s a great way to give kids
— country or city kids — a taste of rodeo.