The 2016 dates have been set for our 12th Annual Central PA Rodeo. On June 17th, 18th & 19th get ready to join us for some of the best rodeo entertainment around. Show times are: Friday and Saturday night 7:30; Sunday 4:00pm. The gates open three hours in advance. All events are run with each show.

Bull riding refers to the sport that involve a rider getting on a large bull and attempting to stay mounted while the animal attempts to buck off the rider. In the American tradition the rider must stay atop the bucking bull for eight seconds. The rider tightly fastens one hand to the bull with a long braided rope. It is a risky sport and has been called "the most dangerous eight seconds in sports."

Steer wrestling, also known as bulldogging, is where a horse-mounted rider chases a steer, drops from the horse to the steer, then wrestles the steer to the ground by twisting its horns. Typical professional times will be in the range of 3.0 to 10 seconds from the gates opening to the waving of the flag.

Rodeo’s “classic” event, saddle bronc riding, has roots that run deep in the history of the Old West. Ranch hands would often gather and compete among themselves to see who could display the best style while riding unbroken horses.

In rodeo’s only true team event, two ropers – a “header” and a “heeler” – work together to rope a steer in the quickest time possible.

A bareback rider begins his ride with his feet placed above the break of the horse’s shoulders. Throughout the eight-second ride, the cowboy must grasp the rigging (a handhold made of leather and rawhide) with only one hand.

Tie-down roping was born on the ranches of the Old West. And, because of the speed and variety of tasks required in tie-down roping, the event attracts some of the best athletes in rodeo. Success in tie-down roping depends largely on the teamwork between a cowboy and his horse.

Barrel racing is where a horse and rider attempt to complete a clover-leaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. In Barrel Racing, the fastest time will win, but precise control is also required. Running past a barrel and off the pattern will result in a "no time" score and disqualification. If a barrel racer or her horse hits a barrel and knocks it over there is a time penalty of five seconds, which usually will result in a time too slow to win.

The ladies must follow the same rules as the cowboys by starting behind a string barrier, allowing the calf a head start. If the cowgirl leaves the box too early and breaks the string, she is given a 10-second penalty . The cowgirl’s rope is tied to her saddle horn with a cotton string. The time is stopped when the rope breaks away from the saddle after she has roped her calf.