Leake County has a long history with rodeo, at one time Carthage was known as the “Rodeo Capital of Mississippi.” From the mid-60s until the mid-80s, the Mississippi State High School Rodeo finals were held at the Carthage Coliseum. To continue the long tradition of rodeo in the Square County, the Leake County Sheriff’s Department held an annual rodeo at the Coliseum as a fundraiser for the Deputy Reserves. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the annual event was canceled, leaving the coliseum without rodeo once again. In 2022, Sheriff Randy W. Atkinson, in collaboration with the MSCLC and with support from local sponsors, invited Lone Star Rodeo Company to bring their world-class amateur rodeo back to Carthage, Mississippi in January of 2023. After a record attendance, the Sheriff’s Rodeo is back in action and better than ever!
Held on the first weekend of the month of January, this is a two-night open rodeo featuring all of the fan-favorite events including barrel racing, roping, bronc riding, and bull riding. Lone Star Rodeo Company also provides thrilling entertainment with their exciting chuck wagon races, hilarious rodeo clowns, kid events, and phenomenal announcers. Come visit the Carthage Coliseum in Leake County to watch the “Greatest Show on Dirt.”
