The inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo coming to Mississippi Coliseum. Details here

Kiara Fleming, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·3 min read
Chapel Hart, the country music trio from Poplarville, will perform on opening night of the inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo on July 28 and 29 at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
Chapel Hart, the country music trio from Poplarville, will perform on opening night of the inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo on July 28 and 29 at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

It has been a few months since the popular Dixie National Rodeo was in town but never fear rodeo fans. There's a new rodeo in town.

The inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo is coming to the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson later this month and will feature rodeo favorites including bull riding, bareback bronc, saddle bronc, ranch broncs, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, bullfighting and bull poker.

In addition, country music sensations and Mississippi natives Chapel Hart will perform as part of the festivities on opening night, Friday, July 28, while Drake Milligan will entertain on the closing night, Saturday, July 29, organizers said. Weekend passes are available for purchase now at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B005E3EEBC9A168.

The Mississippi AG and Outdoor Expo put on by the Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks Foundation will also be set up at the Fairgrounds July 28 and 29.

Proceeds from the event — established in honor of Keath Killebrew, a Delta farmer, father, artist and entrepreneur who was killed in a plane crash while exploring new farming opportunities in Paraguay in December 2021 — will benefit the Keath Killebrew Charisma Award Fund, which awards scholarships to young men and women interested in working in the agricultural field.

"Keath Killebrew, co-owner and farmer with the Killebrew Cotton Company in Tchula, Mississippi, started the Keath Killebrew Charisma Award Fund from life’s work through helping a young person who is passionate about agriculture and serving people," a press release states. "All proceeds from this event will go to the foundation where you can also donate or become involved."

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Killebrew was a lifelong Mississippian who farmed cotton, soybeans, rice, peanuts, wheat and watermelon across six counties throughout the Delta and surrounding hills from Senatobia to Flora, organizers said in a press statement.

"A true Renaissance man, Keath also raised cattle, tended bees and taught welding at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman," the press release states.

He also enjoyed painting and photographing Delta landscapes, a hobby he shared with his wife, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Alyssa Killebrew.

“Keath truly lived his life like he was preparing for a bull ride,” Alyssa said in the press statement. “He was always creating new ventures with his businesses and always excited to work hard, and that's what bull riding and preparing for rodeos is all about. You know you're gonna get bucked off, and he did many times as he was trying to build a farm operation, but he always got back on and always kept trying.”

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If you go:

  • When: Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29

  • Where: Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi St., Jackson

  • Admission: Tickets, starting at $15, and weekend passes are available at the following website https://killebrewfoundation.org/rodeo/

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Have a story idea? Reporter Kiara Fleming can be reached via email KDFleming@jackson.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo in Jackson ms