Gates open at 4 p.m. with food, shopping, music, line-dancing and lessons. The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) competition begins at 7 p.m.
Opening this year’s event will be a patriotic air show by the Condor Flight Squadron, a unique team of pilots that fly North American AT-6ISNJ trainers in formation. These aircraft are what all U.S. airmen flew before graduating to fighters, bombers and transports in World War II. The Condor Squadron organization’s mission is to preserve a piece of aviation history that played an important part in securing the freedom Americans cherish today.
The main event (PBR) will feature professional bull riders testing their skills riding some of the biggest and toughest bulls, weighing in at over 1500 pounds. The competition will be fierce as athletes compete for a $20,000 cash purse.
The voice of The Showdown, announcer Don Jesser, will provide play-by-play announcing, sharing his bull riding knowledge and wicked sense of humor. Co-announcing with Jesser will be 5-time World Champion Bull Fighter and 2010 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Smets, also known as “The Kamikaze Kid”.
“A special guest will be joining us this 4th of July, Miss Rodeo California 2019, Madison Wagner. She will be on hand to welcome all of our PBR guests, and she will help us celebrate America’s birthday,” said Showdown Rodeo committee member Shawna Nelson.
Immediately following the Professional Bull Riders Touring Pro Division will be a spectacular Fireworks Extravaganza.
“We put on the fireworks show so you don’t have to,” said Drew Mercy, president of the Antelope Valley Fair Association.
Admission to the fireworks show is free, with seating provided on the Fairground’s grassy areas. Reserved grandstand seating for the Fireworks Extravaganza requires a PBR ticket.
Rounding out the evening will be the Van Dam Barn Dance, hosted at the Cantina stage with live country and rock ’n roll music by Jake Nelson and the Tone Wranglers.
PBR Tickets are on sale now at www.avfair.com. Tickets start at $15. All purchased PBR tickets include reserved seating to the fireworks show. Parking is $7 per car. Chairs and blankets for non-grandstand fireworks viewing areas are encouraged. Outside Alcohol, BBQs and pets are prohibited.
For more Professional Bull Riders information, go to www.showdownrodeo.com. For 4th of July fireworks information, go to www.cityoflancasterca.org/july4.
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Flyboy says
That guy with the guitar looks like the pilot for LEAPS. I think I’ve seen him at Foxy’s.
What a sweet gig that is. Flying around Lancaster all day while crime goes on below you and there’s nothing that you can do to help except keep flying and keep the dollars flowing to Rex’s pals.
Jacob Nelson says
You’re not wrong. That was my job 5 years ago. I’m an airline captain now by day, and musician by night.
Be a Man says
Still the insider, Daddy needs to cut your Momma apron strings big boy.
Brokeback Mountain says
I am the guy with the thick mustache and cowboy hat in the upper left of the photo.
Cowboy Up says
The biggest bull to ride is the Vice Mayor. He is full of it!
Rodeo Joe says
I would pay top dollar to see Ken Mann try to ride for 8 seconds on the back of a bucking Marv Crist in the rodeo rink. Or Raj. Either Ken or Raj.
Cowboy Up says
The man riding the bull is AVT commentator Tim Scott.
Robert Blake says
He can’t control himself, let alone a big bull. He would be thrown off in two seconds.
Tim Scott says
I’m a bit too urban to have any experience riding bulls. Never boned a sheep either. How about you, Robert? That your thing?
Robert Blake says
Nah, Tim. I don’t think about sheep like you do.
New Band says
We need a new band four or five years of the same band is really getting old.
Rex Christ says
Being a insider keeps you playing but it’s getting very old. I’m staying home my 2nd year now.