Southwest District Livestock Show: Time again to hit the dirt
Published 2:56 pm Friday, January 31, 2025
Tickets are on sale for the 86th Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo, or as James Harper calls it, “The greatest show on dirt.”
Livestock show admission is free and fosters opportunities for 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth from throughout a seven-parish area to develop life skills through raising and exhibiting livestock, Harper said.
Harper said: See the youth. Let ‘em know they’re using their time and energy in a great way and check out their sheep, goats, bulls, pigs, dairy and some of the most out-of-the ordinary-looking chickens to be seen.
World-class rodeo athletes will battle it out on bulls, barebacks and in the saddle. Buddy barrel racing is back, and new this year: breakaway roping.
Special guests are Jerry Thornton and his wonder horse Mr. Bojangles, a hurricane rescue horse with a new lease on life. Back by popular demand is rodeo clown Dusty Meyers.
Burton Coliseum doors open for rodeo seating at 6 p.m. today. Mutton Bustin’ (children riding sheep) begins at 7:15 p.m. The rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at intermission.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Saturday with more Mutton Bustin’ at 1:45 p.m. The rodeo matinee begins at 2 p.m. The evening session begins at 6 p.m. with Mutton Bustin’ at 7:15 p.m. and rodeo at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from $15-$45. Children 3 and younger and who can sit on parents’ laps admitted free.
Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or at the Burton Ticket Office beginning at 10:30 a.m. up through rodeo time.
Discount coupons valued at $4 for the Thursday night and Saturday matinee performances are available at John Deere locations in Lake Charles, Crowley and Welsh.