Leesville Lions Club Rodeo

The Leesville Lions Club Pro Rodeo, well into it’s sixth decade, takes place at 7:30 p.m. on the Thursday-Saturday following the first Wednesday in October at the Vernon Parish Arena. 

The rodeo typically takes place in conjunction with the West Louisiana Forestry Festival and the Vernon Parish Fair and serves as a primary fundraiser for the Leesville Lion's Club. Proceeds from the rodeo are earmarked for the club's charitable endeavors, including the Lion's Camp for Crippled Children in Anacoco. 

The rodeo features no national advertising, despite the fact that some contestants are on the professional rodeo circuit and still looking to earn points for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. 

Events scheduled for each night include bull riding, calf roping, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding. 
 
Aside from ticket sales, the rodeo brings in funds from local advertising, event sponsorships, program sales and concession, including the famous Cracker Jacks which are linked to special prizes such as money, jewelry or a diamond ring. 
The Lions Club Rodeo Parade, featuring floats from civic organizations, schools, businesses as well as local pageant winners, meanders through downtown Leesville at 4 p.m. on the same Thursday the rodeo opens. 

Horseback riders bring up the rear of the parade, having spent the day trail riding from every corner of the parish. And, of course, interspersed throughout are Lion's on their side-by-sides selling tickets to the rodeo. 

Also included in the parade are the contestants for the Rodeo Queen Contest, young women from parish high schools who have helped to sell rodeo tickets and are competing for the chance to represent the Lions and Lions Camp for the next year.
 
Contestants volunteer and compete in various capacities over the length of the contest, including horsemanship competitions; interviews; and serving food at Senior Citizens Day at the fair. 

During the rodeo's finale on Saturday night, Lions announce that year’s Rodeo Queen and also recognize other contestants for horsemanship, ticket sales and people’s choice. 

The Lion's Club and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office typically provide parish students with one free ticket to the rodeo, good for admission on either Thursday or Friday night. 

For ticket sales, email lalions@lionscamp.org.