Cowboys warm up for the PRCA Rose City Roundup rodeo, put on by Cross Brand Cowboy Church, Friday morning Sept. 15, 2017. The rodeo is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Thousands of people are expected to turn out this weekend to watch the PRCA Rose City Roundup, a pro rodeo event being hosted by Tyler’s Cross Brand Cowboy Church.

More than 300 cowboys and cowgirls are expected to compete over the course of the three-day event.

These athletes are competing not only for prize money, but also to garner points so they can hopefully get a high enough ranking to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Each day’s competition includes seven events – bareback bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and team roping.

Other attractions will include a petting zoo for kids, a calf scramble and concessions.

This is the fourth year the church has hosted the event. Administrative Operations Manager Evie House said the church wanted to do this in order to draw high quality contestants and spectators.

“Everything that we do here at Cross Brand in our arena we always take the opportunity to preach a short Gospel message because that’s what we do,” she said. “That’s the reason we have the arena.”

The rodeo started Friday and continues at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the church’s arena, 11915 Farm-to-Market Road 2015 in Tyler.

Tickets cost $10 and are available at the Whataburger at North U.S. Highway 271 and Loop 323, Tyler Discount Feed, Boot Barn, Cavender’s and the church. Children 6 and younger do not need a ticket.

The church will donate any proceeds from the rodeo to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and the East Texas Cornerstone Assistance Network.  

TWITTER: @TMTEmily