Old Glory PCA Rodeo coming this October!

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

This fall, the Professional Cowboy Association (PCA) is bringing their Old Glory Rodeo to Monticello for the very first time! The sponsor of this inaugural event is John Evans, who is showing his support of the rodeo through his businesses that he co-runs with his daughter; Bar K Equine Therapy and SE Roofing and Construction, LLC. His daughter, Keira, graduated from Aucilla Christian Academy in 2021 and has an impressive history in rodeo riding herself. Keira is two-time PCA Barrel Racing Champion at the high school level, and it was her involvement in rodeos that gave her father the idea for hosting a rodeo event right here in their own hometown.
“I contacted them,” says Evans. “We've been going to their rodeos for years, and I wanted to see about hosting them and bringing them local. To the best of my knowledge, they have never done a rodeo in Monticello before.”
This exciting two-day event will take place on the Friday and Saturday of Oct. 21 and 22, at the UF/IFAS Extension Office located at 2729 W. Washington St., in Monticello. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and all the fun starts at 7:30 sharp. This year will be showcasing an exciting line up of events including bareback riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, saddle bronc, breakaway roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding! On Saturday evening, Evans says his daughter will showcase her barrel racing talents as part of the rodeo events line-up, for all to enjoy!
The rodeo will feature announcing and commentary from none other than former PCA Announcer of the Year, Mack Ginn, who has worked as a professional rodeo announcer for the last 10 years. Ginn, who lives in Lexington, Miss., is no stranger to the traveling rodeo scene, having participated in over 45 rodeos a year, announcing at events from West Palm Beach to Minnesota, from Atlanta to Oklahoma. His skills are well-renowned, and he takes great pride in providing more than just bland narration of the events as they unfold. In addition to exciting and thorough play-by-plays, Ginn provides quality context that is invaluable to first time rodeo attendees and those who are unfamiliar with the popular events. Rules, regulations, and historical backgrounds of each event are given in real time, as well as playful collaboration with the rodeo clown to entertain, educate and delight the crowd.
“As an announcer,” says Ginn, “the rodeo opening is one of the most exciting parts of the whole event. It sets the tone for the whole rodeo. Rodeos are one of the last sports that are truly centered around God, family and country. The whole event is centered around being family-friendly. It's very wholesome; we open with a prayer in Jesus' name, and that's a big deal for me. It really sets the tone for the whole evening.”
Ginn provides announcement services through his company, LMG Voice Productions. “My job,” he says, “is to inform, educate and entertain. To explain what you're watching, so that even if you've never been to a rodeo before, you'll always know what's happening.”
Helping to bring the rodeo events to peak entertainment levels is Trent McFarland, who will be entertaining from the ring as a rodeo clown. Originally from Wyoming, McFarland has been living in Alabama since 1995, but has traveled all across the United States to perform in countless rodeos.
As a second generation rodeo clown, McFarland says he followed in his father's footsteps, much like his own two sons, ages six and eight, are doing in his. When asked if his two young apprentices will be joining him in the ring this October, McFarland said, “Well, I'd hate to make promises. It all depends on schoolwork, and how well that all is going when the time comes.”
This family business keeps McFarland busy, as he travels around 40 weekends out of the year. “I have around 10 weekends a year that I do nothing,” he says playfully. “I shouldn't be so lazy!” When he isn't charming audiences from within the rodeo ring, he works as an operating room nurse in Alabama, a job that he describes as being his secondary profession after rodeo work.
To be a good rodeo clown, McFarland recommends finding balance “between the desire to make other people laugh, and the desire to preserve your own life!” Although the job can be highly dangerous, and requires a certain level of athleticism in order to remain safe, McFarland maintains that the job is highly enjoyable.
“I like making folks laugh,” he says, “But I also really enjoy all the traveling the job entails. I get to see amazing things, things some people may never get the chance to see. All because of the life the rodeo has allowed me to have.”
While the main part of his job is to entertain the audience during rodeo events, McFarland makes painstaking efforts to keep the entertainment fun for the whole family. “No matter if you are three, or fifty-three, or ninety-three, it's the kind of show that anyone can enjoy. There's no ugliness. It's a great way for families and neighbors to come on out and just enjoy some good, clean fun.”
McFarland and his rodeo clown antics can be enjoyed online via his TikToc account, TrentMcFarlandRodeoClown.
At the Old Glory PCA Rodeo, there is something special in the events line-up for everyone to enjoy, with food and beverages provided by Johnston's Meat Market. Tickets will be sold at the gate only. Admission is just $15 per person, and kids aged five and under get in for free. This is sure to be a great family-friendly time, so saddle up, Monticello, it's time to mark your calendars for the rodeo!