Benton’s Big Weekend: Get Ready for the Ray Forcier Memorial Rodeo

Ed Jordan of the Rockin' J Cattle Company, producer of the 17th Annual Ray Forcier Memorial LRCA Rodeo in Benton, is as giddy as a four year old on Christmas Eve.

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It's because he knows how excited people get when the rodeo comes to town, and this year's event promises to be one of the biggest and best ever.

Slated for Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27, at the Willie Waggoner Memorial Arena, right behind Benton Middle School, this is the biggest fundraiser each year for the Bossier Parish Riding Club.

Jordan explains that a huge crowd both nights of the event will help to provide much needed funds for the year-end awards ceremony by the Riding Club. And he says if it turns out to be as heavily attended as he's estimating, people will certainly want to arrive early.

Gates are slated to open around 6:30 pm each night. Events will begin at 8:00 pm and Jordan promises there will be the full complement of rodeo staples.

There's bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, calf roping, all the big events, and one event especially for the youngsters; the calf scramble, where every contestant will get a brand new, crisp, $1 bill.

Attendees will also be treated to the antics of funnyman, Al Bryan and the horse riding specialty acts of Katie Lynn English.

Admission is only $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.