FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- It's time to saddle up and head to Kay Rodgers Park for some Muttin' Bustin', barrel racing and bull riding.
The Old Fort Days Rodeo kicks off today in Harper Arena at the park.
The event started with the annual Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade, which made its way through downtown Fort Smith today (May 28) at 10 a.m.
It's the horses, cowboys and cowgirls, bands and more that folks love about the Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade.
Brittney Proctor brought her family to the parade, but for a bigger reason than just the rodeo.
"I hope they understand exactly what Memorial Day is about," she said. "It's not a three-day weekend. It's about the soldiers."
Everything at the rodeo is a tradition that can be enjoyed by all ages.
"It's just a country atmosphere, and it's something all the kids enjoy," said Denny Flynn, executive director of Kay Rodgers Park. "They like to watch the bulls [and] the clowns."
The rodeo action begins tonight with the Muttin' Bustin' qualifying event at 5:30 p.m. Tonight, the Memorial Day holiday will be celebrated with Patriots Night, during which area veterans will be honored.
Once the Muttin' Bustin' is complete, the 85th annual Old Fort Days Rodeo moves on to the Grand Entry at 7 p.m., followed by the other rodeo events, from bucking broncos to cow roping.
Special events will continue throughout the week. Tuesday and Wednesday are family nights when tickets are $7. Friday night is Tough Enough to Wear Pink night.
The rodeo runs through Saturday. A schedule of the events is listed below. More information is available on the Old Fort Days Rodeo website.
Rodeo Schedule
Monday, May 28, 2018
10:00a.m. - Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade: Downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas.
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’ Qualifying Event: Hugh Hardin Arena – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Old Fort Days Stage Performances: Kay Rodgers Park
7:00p.m. – Opening performance of the 85th Annual Old Fort Days Rodeo: Harper Stadium – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR.
Don’t miss the largest Grand Entry of the week; Wrangler National Patriot Night honoring area veterans. NFR rodeo announcer Mike Mathis; Funny Man and Professional Rodeo Clown, John Harrison; The livestock of Andrews Rodeo Company; Nightly performances by the Old Fort Days Dandies and crowd favorite Muttin’ Bustin’
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
$7.00 FAMILY NIGHT – Dodge RAM rodeo night
5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’ Qualifying Event: Hugh Hardin Arena – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Old Fort Days Stage Performances
7:00p.m. - Rodeo Grand Entry
7:30p.m. - Rodeo Performance
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
$7.00 FAMILY NIGHT – Wrangler night
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’ Qualifying Event: Hugh Hardin Arena – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Old Fort Days Stage Performances
7:00p.m. - Rodeo Grand Entry
7:30p.m. - Rodeo Performance
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Super Kids Rodeo
4:00p.m. - Super Kids Rodeo: youngsters with special needs get the opportunity to experience rodeo events in the arena with professional cowboys. They ride ponies, rope steer dummies and climb aboard teeter-totter bulls.
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’ Qualifying Event: Hugh Hardin Arena – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Old Fort Days Stage Performances
7:00p.m. - Rodeo Grand Entry
7:30p.m. - Rodeo Performance and first night of Freestyle Bullfighting
Friday, June 1, 2018
Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’ Qualifying Event: Hugh Hardin Arena – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Old Fort Days Stage Performances
7:00p.m. - Rodeo Grand Entry
7:30p.m. - Rodeo Performance & Tough Enough to Wear Pink: $1 from every ticket sold goes to Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House and everyone should wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. Even contestants will cowboy up and wear pink. Silent auction ends.
Second night of Freestyle Bullfighting
Saturday, June 2, 2018
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Muttin’ Bustin’ Qualifying Event: Hugh Hardin Arena – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR
5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. Old Fort Days Stage Performances
7:00p.m. - Rodeo Grand Entry
7:30p.m. - Final Rodeo Performance and Freestyle Bullfighting Finals