Ashley Tyndall, Special to The Press
Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 11:50 am

The University of Tennessee at Martin’s 41st Annual College Rodeo is just around the corner. The rodeo is set for April 16-18 at the Ned McWherter Agriculture Pavilion in Martin. Performances get under way each night at 7:30.

More than 250 contestants representing 32 different colleges and universities will participate in the Ozark Region’s final regular season rodeo at UT Martin. Teams are vying for the first- and second-place finishes in the region to clinch automatic berths in the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in June at Casper, Wyo.

The annual UT Martin rodeo is the biggest event held on campus, and this year officials are expecting more than 8,500 spectators over the three-day event. Last year’s Friday and Saturday night performances were sold old. Officials said it was two of the largest crowds to ever watch a UT Martin rodeo.

The UT Martin men’s rodeo team finished third in the nation last season and is a perennial power in the Ozark Region and National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. UT Martin has won 28 Ozark Region championships since 1973 and advanced to the CNFR 34 consecutive years.

This year’s UT Martin rodeo kicks off Wednesday, April 15 with the Eqyss Grooming Products Crawfish Supper hosted at the American Legion in Martin.

Activities get under way at 5:30 p.m. Crawfish, corn on the cob and new potatoes will be served. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available.

Everyone is invited, Tickets are $10 per person or $25 for a family.

Bargain night at the rodeo is set for Thursday, April 16. Tyson – Obion County Complex will sponsor the performance. All tickets are $6 at the door. Action gets under way at 7:30 p.m.

Vincent Implements will sponsor Friday night’s performance and spectators can also enter a drawing for a chance to win an MTD riding lawnmower.

The UT Martin Rodeo Roundup Free Barbeque begins at 11 a.m. at the Ned McWherter Agriculture Pavilion.

The Edward Jones Investment scholarship auction, sponsored by Harald Melson, begins at 12:30 p.m., and the Martin Paving Company Championship finals are set for 7:30 p.m.

Ticket prices for adults are $10 each ($8 in advance), students are $7 each ($6 in advance, while children 5 and under are free. A weekend pass (for all three performances) is $18 each. Weekend passes must be purchased in advance.

Advance tickets are on sale now at outlets in Martin (UT Martin University Center, Weakley County Co-op, Cowboy Café ); Dresden (Fairview Saddlery); Union City (Wood Communications Wireless Source); and in Greenfield (Brawner Boots).

Advance ticket sales end at the close of business on Monday, April 13.

For more information about tickets call the UT Martin ticket office at (731) 881-7207.