Bull Dogging (Steer Wrestling) at BPIR Atlanta
Youth empowerment workshop hosted by BPIR Foundation and Anti-Violence Ventures (AVV)
BPIR, Edward Jones, and BPIRF partner for back-to-school round-up.
Logo for Soul Country Music Star
The nation’s only touring African American rodeo association brings Black cowboy excellence to Atlanta, with the Soul Country Rodeo Experience
ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, July 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) comes back to the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, for a weekend honoring Black cowboy excellence, Western heritage, family-friendly entertainment, and live musical performances.
The Soul Country Rodeo Experience on Saturday opens its doors at 3:00 PM. The Soul Country Music Star™ Atlanta Regional Competition and Concert starts at 4:00 PM, and the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo begins at 7:30 PM. On Sunday, August 2, BPIR presents a second show starting at 3:30 PM.
For more than four decades, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has honored and promoted the frequently overlooked role of Black cowboys and cowgirls in American West history while delivering thrilling family entertainment. Fans will see today’s top rodeo athletes competing in:
• Bull Riding
• Ranch Bronc Riding
• Steer Wrestling
• Tie-Down Roping
• Team Roping
• Breakaway Roping
• Barrel Racing
• Ladies Steer Undecorating
• Youth Events
“Atlanta has always welcomed the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo with incredible energy, enthusiasm, and pride,” said Valeria Howard Cunningham, President and CEO of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo. “We are excited to once again bring two unforgettable days of entertainment to our Atlanta fans. Saturday introduces the Soul Country Rodeo Experience, blending great music with championship rodeo competition, while Sunday gives us an opportunity to celebrate our Legacy Tour Buckle winners. This weekend is about honoring our history, celebrating today’s outstanding Black cowboys and cowgirls, showcasing the next generation of Soul Country artists, and creating new memories that families will cherish for years to come.”
Before Saturday evening’s rodeo, Atlanta-based music artists Bernard Stephens (known as OG NARD), Angela Renae Roundtree, Reggie L. Stacy, and Jacqueline Merrill will compete in the Soul Country Music Star™ Atlanta Regional Competition. The winner moves on to the November 1 National Finals at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, where the national champion will receive $10,000 and the chance to perform during BPIR’s 2027 tour. Kirk Jay, Season One winner of Soul Country Music Star™ and a third-place finalist on Season 15 of NBC’s The Voice as part of Team Blake Shelton, will host the competition.
Beyond the arena action, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation (BPIRF) remains dedicated to empowering the next generation through education and community involvement. On Sunday, the Foundation will hold a special youth leadership workshop for more than 100 young adults, in collaboration with Anti-Violence Ventures (AVV). Through interactive sessions on bullying prevention, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and career paths in agriculture, participants will gain practical life skills while learning about the rich legacy of the Western industry and the opportunities it presents. This initiative reflects the Foundation’s ongoing goal to inspire, educate, and build pathways for young people both inside and outside the rodeo arena.
In partnership with Tonteleo Day, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation will organize a Back-to-School Round-Up during the August 1 and 2 events at the Georgia International Horse Park. Guests are encouraged to bring new school supplies to help local children start the school year ready to succeed. Donations can also be left at the Edward Jones office located at 4270 Atlanta Highway, Suite 105, Loganville, Georgia 30052.
The continued success of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is made possible by Official Presenting Sponsors Ariat and Crown Royal, along with additional support from YETI, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Upscale Media, Cavender’s, Reproductive Freedom for All, Four Four Boot Company, and valued partners including the BPIR Foundation, Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation, and Anti-Violence Ventures.
Together, these events provide families and fans a celebration of Black Western heritage, rodeo excitement, and the evolving sound of Soul Country.
Tickets and further details are available at BillPickettRodeo.com and SoulCountryMusic.com.
About the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Founded in 1984 by entertainment producer Lu Vason, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is the nation’s only touring African American rodeo association. Named after legendary cowboy Bill Pickett, the organization honors the contributions of Black cowboys and cowgirls while highlighting today’s competitors in major cities nationwide. Under the leadership of President and CEO Valeria Howard Cunningham, BPIR continues to preserve Black Western heritage, create opportunities for rodeo athletes, and educate audiences about an essential chapter of American history.
About Soul Country Music Star™
Soul Country Music Star™ is a premier national country music competition focused on finding, developing, and advancing the next wave of Soul Country artists. Founded by Executive Producer Margo Wade LaDrew of Wade & Associates Group and produced in partnership with the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the competition travels to selected cities across the country, giving emerging artists opportunities to perform before live audiences and industry professionals. Regional winners advance to the Soul Country Music Star™ National Finals and Festival, where they vie for a $10,000 grand prize, career opportunities, and a chance to perform during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo’s national tour.
About the BPIR Foundation
The BPIR Foundation is the charitable branch of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, committed to education, youth outreach, and preserving the legacy of Black Western heritage. Through scholarships, mentorship programs, community initiatives such as Rodeo for Kidz Sake, and its partnership with Anti-Violence Ventures, the Foundation creates meaningful opportunities for young people, supports safer communities, and increases awareness of the historical and cultural contributions of Black cowboys and cowgirls.
Michelle R Johnson – BPIR Media Relations Director
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
press@billpickettrodeo.com
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