Family-friendly rodeo promises a rip-roaring good time in Avella
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The sound of thundering hooves and cheering crowds will fill the air on Saturday when the Little A Town Arena in Avella bursts to life with its annual rodeo.
From bull riding, to barrel racing and bronco busting, the high-energy evening promises fun for the entire family.
It starts at 7 p.m.
Repurposing an old coal mining area
Tim Paris, director of Little A Town Arena, established the nonprofit a little over a year ago to help revitalize Avella.
“It’s a property my family owned in an old coalmine area that we put to use by transforming it into a place to hold events,” said Paris. Between 2007 and 2010, the arena hosted fundraisers for the local fire department, but over time interest waned. In 2024, Paris revisited the idea.
He created a nonprofit venue to host events that boost tourism and generate revenue for the community and local businesses.
“The nonprofit charges for the events, covering expenses and donating the remaining proceeds back to the community to benefit fire departments, senior citizen programs and community parks,” Paris said.
Beneficiaries also include youth-focused programs, like the Avella Future Farmers of America, an organization that supports agricultural education, and Avella Athletics, which offers educational and extracurricular opportunities to children and teenagers in the community.
So far, the events have been a smashing success.
“We are drawing crowds of 2,000 to 2,800 people, depending on the event,” said Paris.
Cowboys weigh in
Matt DeJohn was introduced to bull riding by college classmates at West Virginia University.
“They did it regularly and when I became involved, I really enjoyed it,” he said.
The industry isn’t without its challenges, however. DeJohn rode bulls for approximately seven years before transitioning to event production. The 46 year-old said it not only takes its toll on the body, but requires a lot of travel, an impediment to those who want to spend more time with their families.
Waynesburg resident Heath Davis, owner of High Steel Rodeo and a member of the Professional Bull Riders Association and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association also made the shift from riding to production about five years’ ago. Davis, who got his start in Ohio where cowboys practiced near his previous home, said that family was the deciding factor.
“I got stepped on and was on life support twice. As a father to two daughters and the provider, I had to prioritize them,” he said.
Even so, Davis maintains that the key to success in bull riding is mental toughness. “You don’t have to move as much as the bull, so knowing that is most of the battle,” he explained.
What to expect
The rodeo will feature rodeo clowns, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling and team roping. Each event will be comprised of eight to 10 contestants, according to Davis.
Davis notes that among the most challenging of all the events is bareback riding. “There’s just so much that goes into it and you’re holding on with no foot support,” he said.
Thus far the events have raised $48,000 for the community.
“If a group participates in helping at the event, they get a larger percentage of the funds,” said Paris.
When asked why the cowboys do what they do in a sport fraught with danger, both Davis and DeJohn say that it’s about preserving tradition.
“It’s all about God, family and country. In an ever-changing world, rodeo and bull riding has remained the same,” DeJohn said.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the venue’s website at https://www.littleatownarena.com/.
Stephanie Kalina-Metzger is a freelance writer.