ATHENS, Feb. 3, 2012--At Trinity Valley Community College, the rodeo team celebrates Valentine’s Day a little differently.
 
Next weekend, the college will host its fourth annual rodeo. The event started on the same weekend as many people traditionally celebrate the lovers’ holiday and has been held the same weekend since.
 
The fourth annual Elder Dodge and Trinity Valley Community College Rodeo is scheduled Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11 at the Henderson County Fairpark Complex. The weekend will be filled with activities for rodeo fans of all ages.
 
The rodeo performances both nights begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the event will be $5 each night. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free. TVCC students who can show ID will also be admitted free.
 
In addition to featuring elite rodeo participants, the event is also kid-friendly. Kids Day is scheduled at noon on Saturday, which will feature rodeo-related activities for children. There will also be a drawing for prizes for the kids during the free event.
 
“We always have a lot of fun with that, said TVCC Rodeo Coach Brent Bratton. “It’s a great way for kids to come out and find out what we’re all about.”
 
More than 400 students from National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association schools around Texas are expected to make the journey to Athens next week for the event.
 
“We expect to have a good crowd to come cheer on the participants,” Bratton said. “I expect our (team) leaders to stay in the hunt for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) and for everyone to do their best and have a great time.”
 
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association is in the middle of its season with five rodeos remaining, starting with the TVCC event. At season’s end, the top three competitors in each event qualify for the CNFR in June.
 
And this year, TVCC is a real force in the NIRA’s southern region. The team is currently ranked third, with several students ranked in the region in particular events.
 
“We still have a long way to go, but so far it’s been a good year,” said Bratton.
 
Colleges and universities expected to compete with TVCC at the rodeo are Northeast Texas Community College, Panola College, Lone Star College, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Hill College, Wharton County Community College, Stephen F. Austin State University, McNeese State University, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Lon Morris College and Prairie View A&M.