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GATES – If you are searching for thrills, spills, and family fun, then head out to the SloGo Ranch at 158 Paige Riddick Road for the 26^th annual Gates County Rodeo on Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13.

Gates open at 5 p.m. each day with the action getting underway at 7 pm nightly.

Tickets (adults) are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. Children (ages 5-12) are admitted for $15 (advance ticket) or $20 at the gate. Children ages 4-and-under are admitted free with a paying adult.

Advance tickets are available locally at Dixie Auto Parts (US 158) in Sunbury, Brinkley’s Hardware (NC 37 North) in Gates, and at McKeel Jewelry (Memorial Drive) in Ahoskie.

Tickets can also be purchased in advance at Starr Motors (Pruden Blvd.) in Suffolk, VA, South Point Saddlery (Whaleyville Blvd.) in Suffolk, VA, and Farm City (US 17) in Elizabeth City.

The event features participants representing the Southern Rodeo Association and the International Rodeo Association. They will be vying for cash as well as to accumulate championship points in bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, team roping, cowgirl barrel racing, breakaway roping, and bull riding.

“The competitors come from all over, to include from out west and from Canada,” said Aaron Brown, the founder and host of the Gates County Rodeo. “They seem to love coming here because our crowd really gets into the action.”

This year’s entertainment also includes great announcing, and a rodeo clown that will keep you laughing throughout the event.

As has been typical at previous rodeos at the SloGo Ranch, the event will feature an assortment of food and drink concessions as well as other vendors.

Brown stressed that this is a family event and no alcohol is served or allowed at the rodeo.

“The people have been so supportive of us over the years, that’s why we keep this tradition alive and it all seems to work as we get bigger and bigger every year,” Brown concluded.