The Nations’ Only Black Touring Rodeo Celebrates 30th Anniversary in So. CA

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. - July 9, 2014 - PRLog -- The nationally renowned Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) is excited to announce that its 2014 touring season marks its 30th anniversary on the road—taking thrilling professional rodeo competitions to delighted audiences and rodeo fans across the United States. Having already competed this year in Denver, CO and Memphis, TN., some of the nations most skilled and entertaining Black cowboys and cowgirls will ride into the City of Industry, CA. Saturday, July 19^th-20^th at the Industry Hills Expo Center located at 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744.

African American cowboys, cowgirls and youngsters will choke dust as fans and novice spectators cheer for hard riding competitors as they battle to be named the best after a season of competition.  Spectators cheer for their favorite competitors during thrilling Calf Ropin’, exhilarating Bareback Ridin’, Bull Doggin, Ladies Barrel Racin’, Junior Barrel Racin’, Ladies Steer Undecoratin’, and gripping Bull Ridin.’

The Bill Pickett Rodeo, now in its 5^th year at the Industry Hills Expo Center is the perfect location to reach the Southern California communities of Los Angeles, County, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

Always a great weekend of high family entertainment, guest will not only experience watching Black riders, great food, vendors, celebrities and so much more.

The 30^th Anniversary of BPIR is sponsored this year by:  Puente Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Bud Lite, Upscale Magazine, Glory Foods, Andy’s Seasonings and Spa 313.   Sponsorship and Advertisement Opportunities are available and well as vendors.

In addition, celebrities are invited to join Emmy Honorary Host Award Winner Glynn Turman as he pay homage to 30 years of continuous rodeo entertainment from founder Lu Vason as Grand Marshall.  In addition, Actor Reginald T. Dorsey returns as Co-Grand Marshall.

Long ago, this rodeo's president and producer, Lu Vason, challenged the false perception of the absence of Blacks in the development of the West, while molding his touring rodeo into an unquestionable success. A former entertainment producer, media impresario and marketing consultant, Vason founded the BPIR in 1984. In fact, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is one of the few African American Events that has traveled continuously since it started in 1984 and never stopped!

Having validated there had indeed been Black cowboys and cowgirls in the Old West, Vason was inspired to look for and assemble modern day Black wrangles. He did and the Bill Pickett Invitational rodeo was established. The Black rodeo has been a powerful tool in reaching his goals of educating people on the Black West, as well as building a profitable business.

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has built a following over 30 years that has generation-after-generation coming back year-after-year. "I am both pleased and proud that the Bill Pickett Rodeo continues to be an annual must-attend event for thousands of fans throughout the country," said Vason.

Tickets are online are through various ticket outlets.  The price range are from $17- $35.  Group rates are also available.  To purchase online, please visit http://www.billpickettrodeo.com or contact Los Angeles, CA Rodeo Coordinator Margo Wade LaDrew: mladrew@billpickettrodeo.com  310.674.6700

Ticket Outlets

Wade Events * Inglewood * 310.674.6700

Inglewood Tickets * Inglewood * 310.671.6400

Black Voice News * Riverside * 951.682.6070

Zahra's Books & Things * Inglewood * 310.330.1300

Industry Hills Expo Center * City of Industry * 626.330.0324

Shades of Afrika * Long Beach * 562.4362210

Shades of Afrika * Corona * 951.285.7888

Venni Mac's M&M Soul Food * Carson * 310.324.5317

Postal Annex * Carson * 310.538.8285

PRESS / CELEBRITIES CONTACT
KimiRhochelle | KRPR Media

http://www.krprmedia.com

MEDIA: media@krprmedia.com
CELEBS:  krprcelebs@gmail.com

909-543-2978

BPIR EVENTS CONTACT
Margo Wade LaDrew |

Wade & Associates Group

mladrew@billpickettrodeo.com

310.674.6700

ABOUT BILL PICKETT:

Known as the "Dusky Demon," Bill Pickett (1870-1932) was the best-known African American rodeo performer of all time. He invented the rodeo sport of bulldogging—now known as steer wrestling—and entertained millions of people around the world, showcasing his bronco-and bull-riding and roping skills in Wild West shows, circuses, and world's fairs. The professional cowboy and rodeo champion was small in stature but he was a larger-than-life Western legend in his own time. His rodeo career spanned more than 40 years. In 1989, he was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and in 1996, Bill Pickett was the first rodeo athlete inducted into the Black Cowboy Walk of Fame in Denver, Colorado.

Retired since 1916, Pickett died in April 1932 following a roping accident. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in Oklahoma. He was buried high on a hill at WhiteEagleMonument, where the Cherokee Strip Cowboy Association set up a limestone marker in his memory. According to Frank Billings, Colonel Zack Miller of the 101 Ranch called him "the greatest sweat-and-dirt cowhand that ever lived."  For more detailed information about Bill Pickett, please view on the BPIR website (http://www.billpickettrodeo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=157).

To learn more about the Bill Pickett Rodeo, its competitors and tour schedule, please visit billpickettrodeo.com (http://www.billpickettrodeo.com/). Obtain high resolution rodeo images at photos.billpickettrodeo.com (http://www.photos.billpickettrodeo.com/)

“Bill Pickett Memorial Scholarship Fund,” a non-profit entity Tax ID #84-1064797

-END-