71st annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
Sting rays, red fish, flounder and sharks are some of the sea creatures that will be seen at the 71st annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo in Gulfport.
It’s the perfect backdrop for an annual event reeling in people from all walks of life. Going 71 years strong, the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo has hooked some South Mississippians over several generations. Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo President Richard Valdez said, “It’s grown every year and it’s generation after generation who puts the rodeo on. It’s a big event for most of our families. My heart is in it. My family is in it so I’m real emotional to the rodeo.”
More than 20,000 people are expected to walk through the gates for this year’s tournament. Although this isn’t the first rodeo for many of this year’s volunteers, anticipation runs high throughout the six day event, each day starting anew with everyone expecting the unexpected when it comes to the fishermen’s catch. Weigh Master Mark Wright said, “Sometimes we will get calls ahead of time about boats coming in with a big shark or a big sting ray. It builds excitement and we usually have anywhere between 100 to 200 people waiting around for the weigh in of the big fish.”
You don’t have to be a fisherman to enjoy this rodeo because this year they are flying off into new heights. “Pretty much there really is something for everybody here,” said Wright.
With the Fourth of July holiday falling on a Wednesday, this year’s rodeo will stretch out a few days longer than usual, but there’s plenty to keep everyone busy from the local vendors to a steady stream of live music and entertainment each day.
Fishing is what got this rodeo off the ground and fishing is still what’s at the heart of this annual event. The Barksdale Pavilion at Jones Park in Gulfport sets the stage for this year’s fishing rodeo and it will run through the July 4th holiday, wrapping up with a fireworks display.
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