BPIR Atlanta Bull Dogging (Steer Wrestling)
Youth empowerment workshop hosted by BPIR Foundation and Anti-Violence Ventures (AVV)
Back-to-school round-up presented by BPIR, Edward Jones & BPIRF
Emblem of Soul Country Music Star
The only touring African American rodeo association in the nation brings Black cowboy excellence to Atlanta, featuring the Soul Country Rodeo Experience
ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES, July 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — On Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) returns to the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers for a weekend that honors Black cowboy heritage, provides Western-style family fun, and features live music.
The Soul Country Rodeo Experience on Saturday kicks off with doors opening at 3:00 PM. The Soul Country Music Star™ Atlanta Regional Competition and Concert starts at 4:00 PM, and the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo follows at 7:30 PM. On Sunday, August 2, BPIR holds a second show beginning at 3:30 PM.
For more than four decades, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has honored and promoted the often-ignored role of Black cowboys and cowgirls in shaping the American West while delivering thrilling entertainment for the whole family. Fans can watch today’s premier rodeo athletes compete in:
• Bull Riding
• Ranch Bronc Riding
• Steer Wrestling
• Tie-Down Roping
• Team Roping
• Breakaway Roping
• Barrel Racing
• Ladies Steer Undecorating
• Youth Events
“Atlanta has always welcomed the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo with incredible energy, enthusiasm, and pride,” said Valeria Howard Cunningham, President and CEO of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo. “We are excited to once again bring two unforgettable days of entertainment to our Atlanta fans. Saturday introduces the Soul Country Rodeo Experience, blending great music with championship rodeo competition, while Sunday gives us an opportunity to celebrate our Legacy Tour Buckle winners. This weekend is about honoring our history, celebrating today’s outstanding Black cowboys and cowgirls, showcasing the next generation of Soul Country artists, and creating new memories that families will cherish for years to come.”
Prior to Saturday evening’s rodeo, Atlanta-based music artists Bernard Stephens (also known as OG NARD), Angela Renae Roundtree, Reggie L. Stacy, and Jacqueline Merrill will go head-to-head in the Soul Country Music Star™ Atlanta Regional Competition. The winner advances to the National Finals on November 1 at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, where the national champion receives $10,000 and a chance to perform during BPIR’s 2027 tour. Kirk Jay, the Season One winner of Soul Country Music Star™ and a third-place finalist on Season 15 of NBC’s The Voice as a member of Team Blake Shelton, will host the competition.
Beyond the arena action, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation (BPIRF) continues its dedication to empowering youth through education and community involvement. On Sunday, the Foundation will hold a special youth leadership workshop for more than 100 young adults alongside Anti-Violence Ventures (AVV). Through interactive sessions covering bullying prevention, emotional intelligence, leadership development, and career opportunities in agriculture, participants will gain practical life skills while learning about the rich legacy of the Western industry and the possibilities it provides. This program reflects the Foundation’s ongoing mission to inspire, educate, and create pathways for young people both inside and outside the rodeo arena.
In collaboration with Tonteleo Day, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation will host a Back-to-School Round-Up during the August 1 and 2 events at the Georgia International Horse Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring new school supplies to help local children start the school year ready to succeed. Donations can also be left at the Edward Jones office located at 4270 Atlanta Highway, Suite 105, Loganville, Georgia 30052.
The ongoing success of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is made possible by the support of Official Presenting Sponsors Ariat and Crown Royal, along with additional backing from YETI, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Upscale Media, Cavender’s, Reproductive Freedom for All, Four Four Boot Company, and valued partners the BPIR Foundation, Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation, and Anti-Violence Ventures.
Together, these events give families and fans a celebration of Black Western heritage, rodeo excitement, and the evolving sound of Soul Country.
Tickets and additional information can be found at BillPickettRodeo.com and SoulCountryMusic.com.
About the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Founded in 1984 by entertainment producer Lu Vason, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is the nation’s only touring African American rodeo association. Named after legendary cowboy Bill Pickett, the organization highlights the contributions of Black cowboys and cowgirls while featuring today’s competitors in major cities across the United States. Under President and CEO Valeria Howard Cunningham, BPIR continues to preserve Black Western heritage, create opportunities for rodeo athletes, and educate audiences about an essential part of American history.
About Soul Country Music Star™
Soul Country Music Star™ is a premier national country music competition focused on discovering, developing, and uplifting the next generation of Soul Country artists. Founded by Executive Producer Margo Wade LaDrew of Wade & Associates Group and produced in association with the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the competition visits selected cities nationwide, giving emerging artists opportunities to perform in front of live audiences and industry professionals. Regional winners move on to the Soul Country Music Star™ National Finals and Festival, where they compete for a $10,000 grand prize, career opportunities, and the chance to perform during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo’s national tour.
About the BPIR Foundation
The BPIR Foundation is the charitable arm of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, dedicated to education, youth outreach, and preserving the legacy of Black Western heritage. Through scholarships, mentorship initiatives, community programming such as Rodeo for Kidz Sake, and its work with Anti-Violence Ventures, the Foundation creates meaningful opportunities for young people, supports safer communities, and advances awareness of the historical and cultural contributions of Black cowboys and cowgirls.
Michelle R Johnson – BPIR Media Relations Director
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
press@billpickettrodeo.com
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