TUSCUMBIA– The whistles and shouts of cowboys and he clip clop of cattle hooves on pavement will be heard in downtown Tuscumbia on Thursday, May 15 as the Harvey Robbins Rodeo Roundup comes to town.
The three-day event kicks off at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 15, with a Wild West Rodeo Stampede Parade, featuring 100 longhorn cattle being herded down Main Street. Cowboys and cowgirls from throughout the nation will compete in a professional rodeo at Longhorn R Arena, 2125, 3-Mile Lane, Tuscumbia, on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17. A Lil Buckaroo Festival for children will be held both nights at the rodeo. A barbecue cook-off will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The parade and rodeo will honor Harvey Robbins, a retired businessman and benefactor f Tuscumbia who died in 201. He was 80 years
old.
“My dad used to always say, ‘bring those cows to town so people can see them,’ said his daughter, Beverly Robbins. “He was always looking for ways to bring people to Tuscumbia and to help the town.”
The parade, which features a western and farm theme along with numerous horses, wagons, and tractors begins on Dickson Street near the police and fire departments. The parade will merge with the cattle drive to the intersection of Third Street and Main Street. The cattle will then be herded by cowboys on horseback to Spring Park where they will be placed in a corral.
Robbins said temporary fencing will be placed along the portion of the parade route where the cattle drive will be held. Deshler football players will sand along the route to help keep he cattle moving toward the park.
“My dad would have loved this,” she said. “He loved rodeos. He was a bareback rider and a rodeo producer when he was younger.”
A free concert featuring the Pine Hill Haints will be held at Spring Park following the parade. There will be line dance instruction, a water show, fireworks and vendors.
Many downtown retail shops will offer western-themed activities for children and will remain open for extended hours that day.
Wild West shootouts, mechanical bull rides and a concert by Travis Wammack will be held in downtown Tuscumbia on Saturday.
The Lil Buckaroo Festival at the rodeo begins at 4 p.m. each night. It features pony rides, a mechanical bull, greased pig chase, petting zoo and inflatables. Tickets are $5 in addition to rodeo admission.
MEDIA RELEASE/COLBERT COUNTY TOURISM
