Silver Spurs Rodeo is traditionally held twice a year and is a must do for anyone wanting an authentic Central Florida experience.

When it comes to visiting the theme park capital of the world, cowboys, cattle and whip cracking are probably the last thing most visitors think of associating with Kissimmee. But Central Florida has a long and rich history with cattle. 

In fact, Kissimmee was Florida’s first cow capital and was the only city in the USA that had grass streets. Cattle were allowed to graze in the streets, hence the name of Cowtown, which still sticks today.

And how about the fascinating fact that Kissimmee was the birthplace of the Drive-Thru! The very first city in the USA to offer service windows in saloons for cattlemen on horseback.

How cool is that?!

Take some time to explore the streets of Historic Downtown Kissimmee and you’ll see an abundance of cowboy references on street lamps, street paving, murals and statues.

Central Florida Cowboys are a unique part of the local culture and heritage. They are descended from the original Florida “crackers” who roamed the area in the 1800s and early 1900s. Central Florida cowboys are known for their unique style of horsemanship and the use of special tools such as the “cracker whip”, which is used to direct the cows and horses.

You’ll get a real local experience of this rich heritage at Silver Spurs Rodeo.

Silver Spurs Rodeo is held twice a year, the 3rd weekend every February and May/June.

The event schedule for 2024 is:

152nd Silver Spurs Rodeo

• Thursday February 15, 2024 at 7:30pm
• Friday, February 16th 2024 – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, February 17th 2024 – 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 18th 2024 – 2pm

Watch a range of traditional rodeo events including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing. The rodeo clown will keep you entertained between the action and the Silver Spurs Quadrille are a sight to see.

The February Silver Spurs Rodeo is one of the most popular Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and attracts contestants from all over the USA to compete.

Rodeo Tickets:

Tickets for the February 2024 Silver Spurs Rodeo are $20 for adults. Children 10 and under are free. Combo tickets for both nights are $30 for adults, free for children 10 and under.

Your ticket also includes access to the Osceola County Fair.

Purchase tickets online direct from the Silver Spurs website.

PLEASE BE AWARE: There are online ticket sellers who sell tickets at inflated prices as high as over $50, purchase direct instead. Tickets are $20 direct.

There are no seat numbers assigned, seating placement is on a first come first served basis. It’s pretty good viewing all around the arena.

Silver Spurs Rodeo is held at Silver Spurs Arena, Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Ln, Kissimmee, FL 34744

Silver Spurs Rodeo has been a tradition in Kissimmee for over 75 years and features an array of traditional rodeo events. 

Bareback Bronc Riding

The original and oldest sport of rodeo and the most demanding. As the bronc is an untamed horse that bucks wildely, this event requires skill and agility. 

A riggin’ is a handhold attached to a leather strap wrapped around the bronc’s girth. The cowboy must grasp the riggin’ with one hand, while keeping the other hand raised and stay on the bronc for 8 seconds. Skilled spur technique plays a big part in the judges score. 

Saddle Bronc Riding

Similar to bareback riding, using the same spur techniques. With Saddle Riding, the cowboy only has a rein attached to the bronc’s halter to hold on to. He must hold the reign with one hand and keep the other in the air. If his free hand touches his bronc or his own body, he will be disqualified.

Bull Riding

One of the main attractions of the Silver Spurs Rodeo, it’s as thrilling and as dangerous as it sounds. Once the cowboy is on the bare back of a 2000 pound bull, he must stay on for 8 seconds as he clings to a rope with one hand while keeping his other hand raised above his head. If his free hand touches the bull or himself, he will get zero points.

The cowboy is judged on balance, reflexes and his coordination with the movements of the bull.

Tie-Down Roping

The traditional procedure of tie-down roping stems from when calves become ill and ranchers needed to catch and treat their livestock. It dates back to the old west and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association eventually included it as a rodeo event.

It takes a huge amount of skill and agility, plus an enormous degree of teamwork between the cowboy and his horse.

The calf is given a head start into the arena, followed by the cowboy who must chase, rope, flank and tie down the calf, while the horse must maintain tension on the rope without dragging the calf.

Team Roping

Team Roping is a common practice still used in cattle ranches today. If a steer is too large to be handled alone, a ‘header’ and ‘heeler’ team of two is used to capture cattle. The header must lasso both horns, one horn or the head of the steer, then tow the steer and control which way it runs. The heeler then has to rope both hind legs.

Steer Wresting

This consists of a team of two – a ‘bulldogger’ and a ‘hazer’ on horseback to guide the steer into position so the cowboy can slide off his horse and hook his arm around the horn of the steer and leverage it to the ground. For the task to be completed, the steer must be lay flat on it’s side with all four feet pointing in the same direction.

Barrel Racing

Primarily an event for cowgirls, this event combines speed, athletic stamina and skilled horsemanship. The contestant must race as fast as possible in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels placed in a triangular position. The clock starts the moment the rider crosses the start line, who must then race at breakneck speed around the barrels to stop the clock at the finish line.

Mutton Bustin’

Sadly, you won’t see this at the February event. Mutton Bustin’ is only featured in the summer Silver Spurs Rodeo.

Mutton Bustin’ is for little cowboys and cowgirls who will cling on and ride the sheep as it busts out of the gate. There are no winners in this event, all Mutton Busters get a Mutton Bustin’ belt buckle for taking part. The event is only open to 10 children, you can apply by signing up as soon as doors open.

Silver Spurs Quadrille

The Silver Spurs Quadrille team perform at all rodeo events to display their unique and skilled horsemanship. This crowd pleaser is hugely popular with locals and visitors as the riders perform their unique square dance on horseback.

They have been performing since 1941 and raises money for charities.

February: Osceola County Fair

Your Silver Spurs ticket includes access to the annual Osceola County Fair on the same day, which features a variety of  live shows and concerts, live stock exhibits, petting zoo, workshops, carnival midway and amusements, dog show, racing pigs, local produce, agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts, and more. 

The Osceola County Fair is a great way to experience local culture and have fun with family and friends. 

If you want to visit Osceola County Fair on other dates, see full details at Osceola County Fair.

History of Silver Spurs Rodeo

The Silver Spurs Rodeo is part of the Silver Spurs Club, which was founded by local ranchers in the early 1940s.

The first ever Silver Spurs Rodeo was held in 1944 and has grown to become the largest rodeos east of the Mississippi River. It is now a highly anticipated annual event that locals love and visitors from all over the US come to experience.

Silver Spurs Rodeo is part of the Silver Spurs Club, which was founded by local ranchers in the early 1940s. The club has grown over the years and now includes many members from across the country. It is one of the few remaining rodeos that still features traditional events such as bull riding and barrel racing. 

Silver Spurs Rodeo provides a unique experience and is an exciting way for visitors to experience something totally different while on vacation in Orlando or Kissimmee.

If you’re looking for a unique and local experience during your visit to Kissimmee, be sure to mosey on down to Silver Spurs Rodeo for a day to remember.