Kerry Gilstrap/Courier

Bull riding coming back to Pickens

 The Ernie Treadway Rodeo Company is bringing the National Junior Bull Riders Association back to Pickens this weekend. Pictured above, Brandon Bowie of Easley loses his grip on a bull and goes flying during a rodeo in Pickens last month.

PICKENS — The award-winning Ernie Treadway Rodeo Company has been producing rodeos throughout the Southeast for more than 30 years, bringing live action, excitement and fun to families across the southeast for decades.

Treadway has a long history in breeding champion bucking stock, some which have gone on to be feature bulls in Pro Bull Riding events. For the past three years, Treadway has dedicated part of his time to producing a local event in downtown Pickens at the old pallet warehouse at 422 Ann Street, with shows running from January until April every Saturday night.

This Saturday and Sunday, the company will be featuring a special event sanctioned by the National Junior Bull Riders Association (NJBRA), starting at 2 p.m.

The NJBRA is a non-profit association based in Oklahoma which supports and provides rodeo venues for kids ages 19 and under. The event will feature sheep riding, calf riding, junior bull riding, amateur bull riding and open bull riding.

Winners from each event will be invited to participate in the national finals hosted by the NJBRA in Oklahoma.

Cost of admission is only $10, and kids 5 and under are free.

In addition to the main event, there will be a number of things to enjoy such as pony rides, concessions and many vendors.