When this time of year rolls around in Southwest Louisiana, it gives youngsters and the young at heart the chance to play dress up. Some don vests, hats, boots, even spurs.  Thursday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m., at the Burton Complex Outdoor Arena, the real cowboys and cowgirls will compete in costume to celebrate Halloween.

One McNeese rodeo athlete will borrow Jim Carey’s mask to beat her best time. Seeing Anchorman Ron Burgundy in the midst of a dirt arena will probably throw the crowd off, but not as much as seeing Daisy Duke and Boss Hogg as a couple. Even the horses could be disguised.

“Most of the team keep costumes a secret until the night of the rodeo so it will be a surprise,” said McNeese State University Rodeo Coach Justin Browning.

Friday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Coliseum, rodeo teams from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southern Region will compete. Tickets are $15 and are available at Burton Coliseum or through Ticketmaster.   

No other Halloween or sports event can offer the hold-your-breath thrill of bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and bull riding or the full-throttle finesse of calf and team roping.

This is the McNeese State University rodeo team’s 69th annual classic. Browning has been there for the last 17.

“The men’s team is young,” Browning said, “14 freshman, second in the region. We won the first rodeo and had tougher luck with the other two. One of the team’s bull riders is sitting second in the region.”

The women are fourth in the region, off to a slow start, according to Browning.

The rodeo clown will be dressed as expected, a rodeo clown, according to Browning. The world-famous Preston Broxon is from Leesville and teaches agriculture at Pitkin High School.