Rodeo Returns to Niceville This Weekend!

Northwest Florida State College is gearing up to welcome a weekend of music and rodeo excitement at the Emerald Coast PCA Rodeo.

Now in its second year, this popular community event promises fun for families and visitors alike. The festivities kick off Thursday night with a concert headlined by country music star Drew Baldridge, joined by local artist Jason Byrd as the opening act.

Baldridge, fresh off his first number-one hit, She’s Somebody’s Daughter, has been a “fantastic” addition to this year’s lineup, according to Amanda Peavy, the college’s events manager and the driving force behind the event.

The rodeo takes place on Friday and Saturday nights, with more seats added this year to accommodate increased demand after last year’s sold-out success.

For Peavy, the event was a creative solution to support the college’s national-caliber athletic programs, which saw all four teams advance to nationals last year.

Peavy explained, “I was challenged to come up with an idea to help offset some of the costs associated with our athletic programs, so I wanted to create a unique, family-friendly event that our community could really enjoy.” With the rodeo, Northwest Florida State College hopes to foster community engagement while helping fund their athletic program.

The rodeo will be held in a grassy, fenced-in area on campus, transformed by the rodeo company into an entire arena with bleachers and fencing, bringing a true rodeo experience to Okaloosa County.

Tickets, priced at $20, are available exclusively on the official website, emeraldcoastrodeo.com. Peavy warned against third-party sellers, urging buyers to stick to the official site to avoid inflated prices.

The college also advises attendees to keep an eye on weather updates through the rodeo’s social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

In the event of inclement weather, an alternative plan is ready, and Peavy says she will communicate any changes directly through email and social media.

In addition to the rodeo and concert, the college will also host basketball games over the weekend, making for an action-packed schedule. “It’s always busy at the college,” Peavy noted. “With the rodeo, concert, and other events, it’s a bit of an organized mess, but we’re ready for a great weekend.”

This unique community event highlights Northwest Florida State College’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for residents, students, and families in the region.