94th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo back this weekend

Reporter: Tiffany Rizzo
Published: Updated:

Grab your hats and boots and let the fun begin.

Thursday was the first day of the 94th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo.

The excitement continues Friday through Sunday. About 20,000 people are expected to attend through the weekend.

Bareback contestant Tim Murphy traveled from Texas for the rodeo.

“I like to see new people sitting in the crowds just kind of get the experience and kind of understand our way alive. I think it’s cool to teach new people,” Murphy said.

He spent countless hours preparing for a ride. He hopes to last 8 seconds.

“It feels like an eternity one is bucking and pretty hard. But you know, you just close your eyes and keep going,” Murphy said.

The rodeo is providing an escape for many in attendance.

“Everybody can come here and get here and get to relax, and enjoy just some good professional rodeo,” said Arcadia Community Rodeo Executive Director Carl McKettrick.

Joanne Iovono attended the rodeo from Manatee County.

“I didn’t get much sleep last night thinking about coming here. So it was exciting. My husband surprised me with this,” she said.

Bill Chope, of Naples, said: “it’s pretty spectacular.”

The and the rodeo is not just a show.

“You get to the agricultural side of things where we’ve got row crops, you know, watermelons, tomatoes, citrus, citrus groves, and things of that nature. And this rodeo just kind of pulls all that together,” McKettrick said.

The rodeo resumes on Friday at 2 p.m.

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