The “Greatest Show on Dirt” is returning to Hattiesburg this weekend, Feb. 15, 16, for the 34th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo. The Department of Campus Recreation at The University of Southern Mississippi will host the event at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center. The rodeo will start at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker will serve as the Grand Marshal for this year’s event.
Lecile Harris, four-time Pro Rodeo Clown of the Year, will once again be making an appearance at the rodeo this year. Harris, a 50-year rodeo veteran, works nearly 125 performances a year at the world’s biggest rodeos.
Harris entered the rodeo scene as a bullfighter in the 1950s and ‘60s and helped transform the sport from thrill show to the skillful art it is today. He has also worked on various TV shows including a regular role on “HEE HAW” and movies like “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James” and “W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings” with Burt Reynolds.
“Lecile’s comedic mannerisms, acts and jokes are copied by clowns and showmen across the globe,” said Bob Lowe, retired director of Southern Miss Dining. “For nearly half a century, Lecile’s bullfighting and comedic ability have saved many a cowboy and brought smiles and laughter to millions of people. He is truly one of rodeo’s legends.”
Additional entertainment will be provided by world champion and trick roping sensation Rider Kiesner. Kiesner, a fifth-generation cowboy, has traveled around the world and has been featured at the country's largest rodeos including the National Finals rodeo and Cheyenne Frontier Days, known as the “Daddy of em all.” He performs trick roping with his rope and pairs the wild west skill of roping with art to perform intricate maneuvers. He is able to spin the loop around his body and jump in and out of it. Kiesner has won many accolades including the esteemed title of World Champion Trick Roper four times. He is also a two-time World Champion All-Around Western Performer, and two-time World Champion Gun Spinner.
The rodeo, which began in 1986 at the Southern Miss Equestrian Center with J. Hugh Mitchell as the first Grand Marshal, serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships and professional development. The rodeo has been held at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center since its opening in 1999.
Each year at the rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls show off their elite skills in barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, and bull riding. The top riders are eligible to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which is held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We are fortunate that the rodeo continues to be produced by Harper and Morgan Rodeo, the producers of the Dixie National Rodeo,” said Mark Crager, director of Southern Miss Campus Recreation. “Because of the quality and consistency of a professionally produced PRCA/WPRA rodeo, we have been able provide scholarships annually to Southern Miss students.”
Tickets are available at Boot Country on U.S. Highway 49 and Hub City West Farm and Garden on U.S. Pioneer Road in Hattiesburg. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 after Feb. 14. All seats are reserved and have chair backs.
The rodeo is also sponsored by Southern Beverage, Comcast, B-95, Pine Belt Motors, Munn Enterprises, Keith’s Super Stores, Hattiesburg Clinic Sports Medicine, Forrest General Hospital, Copy Cats Printing, The Hattiesburg American, Neel Schaffer, Service Master, and Southern Miss Campus Recreation.
