Yee-haw, it’s rodeo time! Round up your family and friends and head to Arcadia to see Florida’s largest and oldest rodeo. The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo takes place March 7-10, 2024, at Mosaic Arena, and organizers promise four days of heart-pounding action featuring some of the most talented cowboys and cowgirls competing today. The Arcadia Rodeo is an official Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event, so you’ll see the best cowfolk from all over the world fighting for cash prizes and the points necessary to secure a spot at the national finals.

A Living Piece of Florida Ranch History

As the saying goes, this isn’t Arcadia’s first rodeo. Far from it. The first official Arcadia Rodeo was way back in 1928. The local American Legion Post needed money for a new building so they organized a fundraising rodeo.

“The Arcadia Rodeo started with local ranch families competing to see who had the best cowboys. Now we’re in our 96th year and the biggest rodeo in the South,” says Carl McKettrick, executive director of the Arcadia Rodeo, owner of the Arcadia Stockyard, and proud dad of pro bullfighter Riley McKettrick. 

The tradition of giving back to the community has been a central part of the Arcadia Rodeo ever since. Proceeds are donated to local nonprofits, and this year, “17 different organizations will benefit from rodeo funds, including the Boys and Girls Club, The Lion’s Club, and Make-a-Wish,” says McKettrick. The rodeo also supports JROTC, college scholarships and youth rodeos. 

All rodeo events, except bull riding, are based on skills needed to run a successful cattle ranch, and those skills are still very much in use in Arcadia and Florida today. While many people equate Texas with cows, cattle ranching originated in Florida more than 500 years ago when Juan Ponce de León introduced the first cows to North America. Half a millennium later, Florida remains one of the largest cattle ranching states in the country. Nearly half of all Florida agricultural land is involved in cattle production today, and Florida produces more than 800,000 calves a year, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

A Thrilling Spectacle for Fans

Organizers call the Arcadia Rodeo “the granddaddy of 'em all,” and McKettrick says there are two main reasons for that: the fans and the athletes. Many people attend year after year, and their families have also been coming to the rodeo for generations.

When he refers to the athletes, McKettrick means both two-legged and four-legged competitors. The horses, bulls, and cows—known as “stock” in ranch parlance—are top-notch. The Arcadia Rodeo works with Frontier Rodeo Company. “Better stock means better athletes,” explains McKettrick. “When the animals are good, they attract top athletes to compete. When you put great athletes and great animals together, you get a better show.” 

The competition lineup consists of “timed events” like barrel racing, steer wrestling and team roping, where the goal is to be the fastest, and “roughstock events” like bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding, where cowboys fight to hold on. Each day features the same events, so pick one that works for you.

In addition to the edge-of-your-seat competitions, you’ll also enjoy entertainment like Mutton Bustin’ where little ones don helmets and attempt to ride sheep, the dancing horse Quadrille, and a trick riding act “where a horse drives away in a Mustang,” says McKettrick. You can also wander the grounds outside the arena to get a closer look at the animals, visit food vendors, shop western wear and ride the mechanical bull if you’re brave enough. 

Want More Rodeo Action?

While the All-Florida Championship Rodeo in March is the largest show of the year, the Arcadia Rodeo Association hosts other events that celebrate and elevate ranch life. Don’t miss the fifth annual Bulls and Bands night on August 24, 2024, featuring “man vs. beast” bullfighting competitions (look for McKettrick’s son Riley there) and country music performances. This year’s headliner is Tracy Byrd. And on October 19 - 20, 2024 the 11th annual fall rodeo returns to the Mosaic Arena. While not quite as large as the March event, you’ll witness plenty of wild rides and the grit and guts of world-class cowboys and cowgirls.

How to Have a Rip-Roaring Time at the Rodeo

• Buy tickets in advance. The best seats can sell out. 

• Consider splurging on a backrest seat. Only Premium Plus and some Premium seats have backrests (prices range from $55 to $65). If you choose a bleacher seat ($35 to $50), you can bring a seat cushion, but not a stadium seat.

• Arrive early for the pre-show. Gates open at 11 AM and the pre-rodeo entertainment starts at 1:00 PM. 

• Chow down on the food offerings. “I’m a steak and hamburger guy, so I love the burgers,” says McKettrick. Food and drink lines can be long during the rodeo, so visit vendors before the show starts, if you can.

• Dress the part. Cowboy hats, western boots, embroidered shirts, jeans, and big belt buckles are highly enocouraged.

• Follow the rules. No pets, coolers, stadium seats, or outside food and beverages (other than water) are allowed in the arena.

• Learn the lingo. You’ll sound like an old hand with this glossary of rodeo terms from the PRCA.

The 96th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo takes place March 7 - 10, 2024 at Mosaic Arena in Arcadia. Gates open at 11 a.m.; the pre-show starts at 1 p.m., and the rodeo kicks off at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $35-$65 and parking is $10.