High school and junior high age cowboys and cowgirls from throughout the area are coming to the county this weekend when the Covington Cowgirls Drill Team hosts its 11th annual Alabama High School and Junior High Rodeo at the Covington Center Arena.

The rodeo starts at 9 a.m. Saturday with the junior division. Then, Saturday night kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with the high school performance. Tickets are $8 per event for adults, $5 per event for students and admission for children age 5 and younger is free.

On Sunday, slack starts at 9 a.m. with cowboy church to follow around 10 a.m.

“We are excited to be hosting our 11th annual rodeo,” said Tricia Courson, drill team director. “It is always a great experience to see these kids having so much fun, and it’s fun for everyone who attends.”

The final performance for the high school participants begins at 1 a.m. on Sunday.

“All of the performances all weekend are a full rodeo featuring bucking events, barrels, pole bending, goat tying, roping and steer wrestling,” Courson said.

Rodeo competitors for this region come from as far as North Alabama and Marianna, Fla.

“This is the first rodeo of the season for the kids and we have a big crowd because it is the first one,” Courson said. “They start the season here at the Covington Center and end their season back here in June.”

The annual rodeo is a fund raiser for the drill team and the proceeds go to a number of worthwhile causes. Since beginning the rodeo the group raised and donated more than $52,000 to the community, including $11,000 in scholarships to qualifying Covington County female students.

“This is a high school scholarship that is awarded yearly,” Courson said. “We have also contributed $8,750 to Opportunity House, Community Christmas and Camp Victory.”

The drill team also raises money for special needs students and St. Jude’s Hospital with its annual trail rides. The group has given $8,400 to special needs students in Covington County Schools and $17,000 to St. Jude’s.

In addition the drill team donated $5,050 to Alabama Junior and High School Rodeo contestants who compete and go to nationals.

“The rodeo is wonderful family entertainment and just a lot of fun,” Courson said. “We look forward to seeing everyone and to a great weekend.”

Members of the Covington Cowgirls Drill Team range in age from 14 up and come from Covington County and all over South Alabama.

For more information about the rodeo or to purchase tickets, contact Tricia Courson at 334-222-8079 or email covingtoncowgirls@yahoo.com. Visit the drill team online at covingtoncowgirls.com.