Since 1939 Southwest Louisiana has been celebrating the pioneering spirit of the men and women who won West. This region honors the champions in whom that wild, tough spirit lives on. This year is no different for the Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo, “the greatest show on dirt,” a term coined by Iowa’s James Harper.

Professional rodeo competitors from across the nation will vie for nearly $250,000 in cash prizes including the newly added contest, women’s breakaway roping. Back by popular demand is the fast-paced buddy barrel pickup and mutton bustin’. “The Wild Thang” , Tim Lepard and his troop of Capuchin cowboy monkeys galloping along on border collies will delight all, young in years and young at heart.

The rodeo’s primary purpose is to help raise scholarship funds and premiums for area youth in the 4-H and FFA Livestock Show programs. The annual livestock show hosts more than 2,500 4-H and FFA exhibitors from 7 Louisiana parishes and awards more than $75,000 in premiums and scholarships. A detailed livestock show schedule can be found at LakeCharlesRodeo.com. The livestock shows, held throughout various barns within Burton Complex, are free and open to the public. 

Thursday, Feb. 1, Rodeo Clown Dusty Meyers is signing autographs at 3620 Ryan St., Lake Charles, from 4 p .m. to 5 p.m.

At 5 p.m., the Western Heritage Rodeo Parade begins at the corner of LaGrange and Patrick streets. It will travel west on LaGrange to Ryan and then south on Ryan to McNeese stadium.

Burton Coliseum doors open at 6 p.m. Don’t miss the mutton bustin’ event that starts at 7:15 p.m. The rodeo begins at 7:30.

Friday, Feb. 2, bullfighters will be signing autographs at 2990, E. Prien Lake Rd., 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Coliseum opens at 6 p.m. Mutton bustin’, 7:15 p.m. Rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 3, the Coliseum opens doors at 12:30 p.m. for its matinee performance, and again at 6 p.m. for the finale night pre-show that begins at 6:45 p.m. This show will include a performance from Barbe High School of Rock. Band. Mutton bustin’, 7:15 p.m. Rodeo, 7:30 p.m.

Buy tickets online at ticketmaster or from the Burton Box Office. Tickets start at $15. See details at lakecharlesrodeo.com/tickets. Children 3 and under are admitted for free if no seat is needed and the child is held in the adult’s lap. To find out more, call 337-515-8501.