MARION–It’s bulls and blood, it’s dust and mud…sound familiar? It should to rodeo fans, who can see area rodeo season kick off tonight in Marion. The 7th Annual Marion Rodeo will be held tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the Ralph Eagle Memorial Arena at Hwy. 5 and Hwy. 14 West.

Rodeo coordinator Robert Hoggle said that the rodeo will offer many different attractions for those of all ages. For kids, a “Gold Rush” starts at 7:15 both nights. This event allows kids to scramble to find money hidden in the hay. The Miss Marion Rodeo Queen Pageant is also slated to be held this weekend, along with other promotional events. Hoggle said that there will even be a goat roping competition, which is open to members of the audience.

“If you can rope a goat, you can rope anything,” he promised with a laugh.

Along with the roster of events, the Marion Rodeo will host many of the top riders in the Professional Cowboy Association (PCA), many of whom are national champions in their sport.

Herbert Theriot is one such cowboy; he will be roping on Saturday night, and he has won world championships.

“You may have seen him on ESPN before,” said Hoggle. “He’s really good.”

Some other big-name cowboys who are scheduled to perform include Mike Sikes, ranked number two in the PCA last year; Kenny Westrow, Sr., the number-one bareback rider; Kenny Westrow, Jr., a 16-year-old prodigy ranked number two in the PCA; Chad Childers; and Denny Franklin.

“We’ve really got the top of the list of all the good ones,” said

Hoggle.

Hoggle said that many of the cowboys and cowgirls that attend the rodeo love coming to Marion because it feels like home to them.

“They like this little town–we open the doors and really give them the red-carpet treatment,” he said. “And they feel like they’re at home. We’re all a bunch of home folks here.”

The crowds at the rodeo can range anywhere from 800 to 2000, depending on the circumstances. Last year’s rains created a veritable mud pit, but Hoggle said that even the mud didn’t dissuade many spectators from supporting the event.

“This just gets in your blood,” he said. “And then it’s hard to keep from going.”

Tickets for the 7th Annual Marion Rodeo are $6 for children and $8 for adults. Those requiring more information can call Robert Hoggle at 410-0749, 683-4004, or 683-6136.