realized how much fun they had and many would come back and buy a ticket to see the rodeo again. It’ s been a real success for us.”
Free admission on opening night is here to stay,” Underwood said.
“ We started this about 15 years ago, I guess,” Underwood said.“ Not only are the fans entertained, but they get to hear a little preaching from one of our cowboy church preachers during one of the intermissions.
“ If we reach one soul that is lost, then it makes it all worth it. If we have Jesus on our side, we are in good shape.”
Underwood said another thing that the local rodeo has been able to do through the years is to upgrade its stock contractor.
“ We’ ve partnered with Pete Carr [ owner of Pete
Carr Pro Rodeo Company ] for a while now,” Underwood said.“ Pete [ Carr ] has more bucking stock and bulls than any producer in the United States.
“ You’ ll never meet a finer bunch of folks than Pete Carr. When Mr. Charles( Dickerson) passed away, Pete was here( for the funeral) and that really meant a lot.”
A look to the future
The rodeo association is actively planning for the future.
“ We’ ve got some things in the works, like moving the scoreboard to the other end of the arena so more people can see it better,” Underwood said.“ I would also like to see us have a covered arena one day.“ It’ s
14 Jacksonville Progress | Spring 2026