Hold onto your hats and dust off your boots, as the Bill Pickett Invitation Rodeo returns to the Adams County Fairgrounds in Henderson, Colorado. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the nation’s only touring Black rodeo, celebrating its 22nd anniversary, returns to the Denver area Saturday and Sunday, Saturday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 20, at 3:30 p.m.

Motivated from his experience at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, LuVason, producer of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo said, “It was exciting but lacked one thing – Black Cowboys and Cowgirls.”

While visiting Denver, Vason was introduced to the history and life of Bill Pickett at the Black American West Museum.

Celebrating its 22nd season and hundreds of performances later, Lu Vason, president and producer of the rodeo has challenged the false perception of an absentee presence of Blacks in the development of the West. The Black rodeo is a powerful tool in educating people on the Black western experience and contributions made by African Americans.

“People know the name Will Rogers,” Vason said “but who they hadn’t heard of was Bill Pickett, and if they had, they didn’t know he was Black.” 

Bill Pickett, who was born in 1870 in Tyler, Texas created “bull dogging,” a move in which he rode alongside a steer, jumped onto its shoulders and brought the steer down by digging his feet into the ground, and biting the steers lip. The modern day version of this move is called “steer wrestling” and remains an intriguing exhibition throughout rodeo history.

“Bull dogging” is one of the seven displays of strength and talent displayed in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo. Bareback riding, calf roping,  ladies steer undecorating, ladies barrel racing, jr. barrel racing, and the exciting and dangerous bull riding event round off the competition.

In addition to the competition hoopla, attendees will be entertained by Mirrome recording artist Miko Marks who will perform on Saturday and Sunday. Marks just released her first music video, which features her third single "Mama." Marks has been featured in Ebony Magazine, not only for her music, but because she is an African American woman tackling country music.

Touring from March through October each year, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo can be seen in cities, arenas and fairgrounds across the country including Memphis, Atlanta, San Diego, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Oakland,  Washington DC, Phoenix and St. Louis.

Don’t miss this fun-filled event complete with vendors, food, treats and an afternoon and evening of excitement featuring African American cowboys and cowgirls competing. Plan to make this weekend a complete cultural and family experience. 

Editor’s note: The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo will be held Saturday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 20 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for children two (2) and under are free, ages 12 and over are $12 in advance, and $15 the day of the rodeo; adults are $15 in advance, and $18 the day of the performance; seniors over 65 are $12. Tickets can be obtained at all Ticket West Outlets including King Soopers, Mail Box Express, The Word Bookstore, Winning Coiffeurs 2, Salon Willingham, Miracle 8 Cleaners, Mr. G’s Hair Design Studio and Howard’s Bar-B-Que in Colorado Springs. Adams County Fairgrounds is located at East 124 Avenue & Henderson Road, in Henderson. For ticket information call 303-373-1246 or 1-866-LETS RODEO. For more information, visit  www.billpickettrodeo.com.