The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is an exciting event at Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park, celebrating culture and history, with loads of entertainment for guests, featuring awesome performances by black cowboys and cowgirls. We had a blast attending this past weekend, the longest rodeo I've ever been to (3.5 hours long).
They had the typical rodeo event offerings, bareback/bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. But also bull dogging, leaping from a horse onto a steer and taking it down via speed and skill (steer wrestling is a technique pioneered by Bill Pickett), and juniors barrel racing split in two groups, kids between ages 8-12, and peewees 7 and under. I thought it was charming watching these youths engage in the sport, though I did freak out when one of the girls fell off her horse and was hanging upside down with one foot still attached to the saddle as the horse continued moving. Luckily it was quickly resolved.
Entertainment included line dancing in the middle of the dirt arena by a crowd of attendees representing Oakland, putting on their moves in unison while flicking their fans in the air. It was fun to see. The music at the BPIR was also different than other rodeos I've been to, plenty of hip hop and rnb tunes playing through the speakers at high volume during the event (with just a bit of pop and country). Songs included Return of the Mack, A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey, I Got 5 On It, Everyday People, Michael Jackson's Pretty Young Thing, and Ginuwine's Pony.
Food and drink options were more extensive too, concession stands selling tantalizing menu items like cheesesteak egg rolls, loaded potatoes, and deep fried alligator and frog (that frog from Mo'Betta Finger Foods was particularly delish). And of course let's not forget the margaritas!! I enjoyed a nice cold strawberry margarita with an added shot of tequila from the Margarita Madness drink stand while there. It was yummy! read more