‘Keep The Tradition Alive’: 300 Cowboys In Okmulgee For Oldest Continuously-Held Black Rodeo

More than 300 cowboys are gearing up to compete in the 66th Annual Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo this weekend.

Roy LeBlanc's son said this became his father's dream 66 years ago. 

Kenneth LeBlanc was four years old at the first Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo. This event is part of his family's legacy.

Kenneth's family helped start the Okmulgee Country Roundup club in 1956. Eventually his dad, Roy took over the rodeo and then Kenneth took over from his dad.

Roy had big dreams for what the rodeo could be and worked hard to keep it going. That dream is still alive all these years later and the rodeo now has big sponsors like YETI.

Almost 300 black cowboys from all over the country will be competing this weekend alone. After Kenneth's dad passed away 10 years ago, the rodeo was renamed in his honor. 

"My dad always wanted to keep the tradition alive as far as letting people know that there are Black cowboys, there are Black rodeos,” Kenneth said.

Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo is the oldest continuously held Black rodeo in the United States.

"This rodeo has been going on for so long, it is more of a tradition now. We have people who come back to Okmulgee for family reunions, and they always schedule it around the rodeos, like right now I don't think you can get a hotel room in Okmulgee anywhere," said Kenneth.

The rodeo will be held at the Bob Arrington Rodeo Arena in Okmulgee, August 13th-14th beginning at 8 p.m. 

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $5 for children or you can pay $20 and buy an armband for the weekend that allows you to come and go.