It's time to saddle up as the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo returns to present the greatest show on dirt featuring African American Champion Cowboys and Cowgirls.

ATLANTA, GA, September 19, 2010

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo returns to celebrate 26 years of African American cowboys and cowgirls who blazed the trails into what was then the New West. This exceptional event will be held at Henderson Arena, located at 4380 Stacks Road, College Park, GA 30349. The festivities begin Friday October 1st 2010 from 10:00AM - 12:00PM with Rodeo for Kidz Sake. This will be a joyous adventure for students to see history and rodeo at its best. The excitement continues Saturday October 2nd 2010 at 7:30PM and Sunday October 3rd at 3:30PM.

Families and all ages will enjoy three days of fun-filled events with vendors, good eats, treats and a complete cultural experience of rodeo. Both days will feature cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation like Billy "Ray" Thunder, Thad Heard and three generations of cowgirls; Adrienne Vance, Ronni Frank, and Erica Davis. Fans will be dazzled from the stands with competitions in six different rodeo events such as; Calf-Ropin', Ladies Barrel Racin', Jr. Barrel Racin', Steer Wrestling, Bare Back Ridin, Bull Doggin, Ladies Steer Undercoatin' and Bull Ridin'.

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo was founded in 1984 by Lu Vason. This event has been a powerful tool in his goal to educate people on the Black West experience of cultural pride associated with contributions made by African Americans. History notes that one out of every six cowboys was an African-American; therefore the Bill Pickett Invitational rodeo is a fitting tribute to the cowboys and cowgirls. The rodeo was named after William "Bill" Pickett the creator of bulldoggin'. Bill Pickett would race on his horse to catch a steer, and then leap out of his saddle to grab the steer's head and twist it slowly toward the sky.

He would overpower the animal by sinking his teeth into the steer's upper lip. Bull dogging is the only rodeo event that can be traced back to it inventor. Bill Pickett was a star attraction on the rodeo and Wild West Circuit for more than 15 years after the turn of the century. He was honored in 1972, 40 years after his death, by being elected to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo tour each year from January through November in the following cities Memphis, Atlanta, Houston, Albuquerque, Oakland, Los Angeles, Denver, Bakersfield, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Milwaukee and the 2010 finals in Kansas City.

Fans can avoid the lines and save on advance youth tickets $15 ages12 & under and $18 for adults. Tickets are on sale now through TicketMaster outlets. General admission ticket will also be available at the gate on both days. For additional rodeo and ticket information, contact Patrice Thompson at 678-887-5921 or visit http://www.billpickettrodeo.com.

To schedule interviews with BPIR producer or rodeo competitors contact:
Renee Atkins-Harris renee@soundimpactpublicity.com 678-532-9422
Patrice Thompson, BPIR , pjthompson232@gmail.com, 678-887-5921