The Cowboy Capital of the World will celebrate its culture and traditions with its annual Heritage Rodeo Week, which kicks off Friday.

Starting at 7 p.m., the Cowboy Capital Cook-off BBQ begins the week’s events at the Park Your Pony Arena, 536 County Road 483, Stephenville.

The BBQ is a Lone Star sanctioned event with an 80% ROI for the first to fifth places. Money and other rewards will be given to the best BBQ chefs.

For more information on cooking, contact Shelby Blackwell at (360) 801-6188 or [email protected]

Saturday includes a full day of events and activities starting at 8 a.m. with more Cowboy Capital BBQ Cook-off, followed at 9 a.m. by the Miss Cowboy Capital Pro Rodeo Queen Contest at Cowboy County Church. ‘Erath, 4945 US 67.

According to the contest officials, some changes were made to this year’s contest and everything was combined into one day, all held at the CCEC.

The start of the riding is scheduled for 9 a.m. After a short break, speeches, massages and impromptu portions will begin at 11 a.m.

The candidates’ lunch will be served before their personal interviews and the crowning will take place at the end of the competition. This event is open to the public and friends and family are encouraged to attend.

At 10 a.m., the rodeos kick off with the Cowboy Capital of the World County Team Roping event at Park Your Pony Arena presented by X-Treme Team Roping and Mitchell Pipe and Supply.

For more information on the team roping event, contact Jodi Clements at (254) 592-2692 or Ben Clements at (254) 349-2572.

At 3 p.m., registration opens for the Sheep Cutting and Lassoing events also at the Park Your Pony arena. These events will follow with the lasso dummy at 4 p.m. and the sheep busting at 5:30 p.m.

The Sheep Slaughter Contest, sponsored by McCoy’s, is for youth ages 3 to 8 with a weight limit of 55 pounds. The registration fee is $ 20 and helmets and vests will be provided to participants. The 15 best scores from the preliminaries will qualify to compete in the PRCA rodeo performances from September 24-26.

The dummy roping test will be for three age groups: 0-6; 7-9; and 10-12. There is no entry fee, but prizes for buckles, ropes and caps will be provided, sponsored by Moonshinesgotmefiren.

Starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, X-Treme Team Roping is once again presenting the Stephenville Shoot-Out roping event at the Park Your Pony Arena.

Monday’s Heritage Week events include a reception at the River North Gallery at Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council, 204 River North Blvd., for the “Hats Off to the Rodeo” exhibit, a tribute featuring memorabilia from local rodeo and western art. The articles will be on display from September 17 to 26 at the gallery.

The Monday reception is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition and reception are open and free to the public.

Thursday, September 23, events begin at 9 am with the slack of the PRCA at Lone Star Arena, 4696 N. US 377. At 6 pm, the rodeo events continue with the slack of the WPRA barrel race, also at Lone Star Arena.

Grab your hats and shine your boots for dancing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday with a rodeo launch concert and dance featuring Jody Nix of Texas at the Stephenville City Park Birdsong Amphitheater, sponsored by Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council.

A traditional country and western swing artist, Nix has been in the business for 60 years. He has performed dances and shows all over Texas and parts of the Southwest.

On Friday, September 24, the rodeos will begin at 9 a.m. with the PRCA event time-out at the Lone Star Arena.

The 52nd edition of the Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo premieres Friday at 7 p.m. at the Lone Star Arena, sponsored by First Financial Bank. The first night was dubbed American Patriot Night to honor all who served.

On Saturday, September 25, the events start early with the Cowboy Capital 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run at 7:30 a.m. at Stephenville City Park. Registration is $ 35 for the 5 km and $ 25 for the 1 mile run.

For more information or to register for the fun race, contact Jessy at (254) 434-7367 or register online at runsignup.com/Race/TX/Stephenville/CowboyCapital5K. Same day registrations will also be accepted.

The fun continues at 10 a.m. with the annual Heritage Rodeo Parade in downtown plaza.

The parade will start at City Park, head north on Graham, west on Washington, south on Barton and back to City Park.

For more information on the parade, contact Shelby Blackwell at (360) 801-6188 or email [email protected] Participants can also register online at the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce website at stephenvilletexas.org/events/details/cowboy-capital-rodeo-heritage-parade-26414.

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, the second performance of the PRCA Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo is scheduled to begin at the Lone Star Arena. Dubbed “It’s Gonna Get Western Night”, this performance is presented by The Hay and Feed Ranch / Oxy-Gen Inc.

End the night at 9 p.m. with a live music concert Dancin ‘in the Dirt by Jake Hooker & The Outsiders at Lone Star Arena. Admission is free with a rodeo ticket.

Sunday morning September 26, Cowboy Church at 9 a.m. with Gizmo and Janice McCracken at Lone Star Arena.

At 2 p.m., the week’s festivities end with the final performance of the Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo. Dubbed “Sunday Showdown”, Sunday’s performance is presented by JJ Hampton Realty.

Rodeo tickets are on sale at Bradberry’s Best, Capital Hatters, Chick Elms Rodeo & Grand Entry Western Wear, Saddle Rags The Western Store and the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce. Tickets will also be sold at the door on the day of the event.

Adult tickets cost $ 12 in advance or $ 15 at the door on the day of the show. Tickets for children ages 6 to 12 cost $ 8 in advance and $ 10 at the door. Children 5 and under will be admitted free.

For more information on any of the Rodeo Heritage Week events, contact the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce at (254) 965-5313 or visit www.cowboycapitalprcarodeo.com