THE 32ND ANNUAL BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO RETURNS TO Atlanta Georgia

THE 32ND ANNUAL BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO RETURNS TO
Atlanta Georgia August 6th and 7th 2016
The Georgia International Horsepark, Conyers Georgia


To the delight of thrilled audiences and rodeo fans across the United States, some of the
nation’s most skilled and entertaining Black cowboys and cowgirls will ride into Conyers
Georgia next weekend August 6th and 7th 2016. The nation's touring Black rodeo competition
the thrilling Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) will celebrate its 32nd year showcasing its
skilled athletes' performances and competitions.

Annually, the BPIR tour schedule takes the show to cities like Denver, Memphis, Phoenix, Oakland, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. During each performance, dust will fly as spectator’s cheer for their
favorite competitors during thrilling Calf Ropin', exhilarating Bareback Ridin', Bull Doggin,
Ladies Barrel Racin', Junior Barrel Racin', Ladies Steer Undercoatin', and gripping Bull Ridin.'

ABOUT BILL PICKETT:
Known as the "Dusky Demon," Bill Pickett (1870-1932) was the best-known African American rodeo performer of all time. He invented the rodeo sport of bulldogging (now. known as steer wrestling) and entertained millions of people around the world, showcasing
his bronco- and bull-riding and roping skills in Wild West shows, circuses, and world's fairs.
The professional cowboy and rodeo champion was small in stature but he was a larger-than-
life Western legend in his own time. His rodeo career spanned more than 40 years. In 1989,

he was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and in 1996, Bill Pickett was the first rodeo athlete inducted into the Black Cowboy Walk of Fame in Denver,
Colorado. Retired since 1916, Pickett died in April 1932 following a roping accident. His
funeral was one of the largest ever held in Oklahoma. He was buried high on a hill at White
Eagle Monument, where the Cherokee Strip Cowboy Association set up a limestone marker in his memory. According to Frank Billings, Colonel Zack Miller of the 101 Ranch called him "the greatest sweat-and-dirt cowhand that ever lived." For more detailed information about
Bill Pickett, please visit www.billpickettrodeo.com/about.html.

ABOUT BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO (BPIR):
Lu Vason founded the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo in 1984. It is an innovative,educational
and exciting perspective on the history, challenges, and excitement of Black Americans in
the Western United States. BPIR celebrates the life of the legendary Black cowboy Bill
Pickett and other Blacks who greatly contributed to the development of the West. To learn more about the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, its competitors, tour calendar, and local
ticket purchase venues, please visit www.billpickettrodeo.com.

"Bill Pickett Memorial
Scholarship Fund," a non-profit organization - Tax ID #84-1064797

Ticket can be purchased online, and at the Conyers Welcome Center in Old Town. Advance
prices are 18.00 children, 23.00 adults, 30.00 Arena seats.

CHECK OUT THE ATLANTA VIDEO ON THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE HERE


EDITORS: This year’s show Grand Marshalls and VIP ‘s for the event are:
Saturday: State of Georgia Commissioner Gary W. Black from the Department of Agriculture

Sunday: Newton County Sherriff Ezel Brown
Rockdale County Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten
Next State Representative District 91 Vernon Jones
Rockdale County Commissioner Post 1 Sherri Washington

For additioan press info, or to schedule interviews with BPIR producers or rodeo competitors
Contact: Ronni Davis-Frank | ronnie@billpickettrodeo.com 678-428-7889

NO ANIMALS ARE HURT DURING THE COMMISSION OF THE BILL PICKETT INVITATIONALRODEO