CLEWISTON — At the regular meeting of the Hendry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the board voted and approved the sponsorship of $12,000 for two All Florida Junior Rodeo Association events to take place October 24-25, and November 21-22, 2026.

The October All Florida Junior Rodeo is planned for Oct. 24 and 25 at the LaBelle Rodeo Arena, 100 Rodeo Drive, LaBelle. Rodeo events start at 9 a.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, the program starts with Cowboy Church at 9 a.m. A Halloween Bash is planned Saturday night.

The November All Florida Junior Rodeo is planned for Nov. 21 and 22 at the LaBelle Rodeo Arena. On Saturday, the rodeo starts at 11 a.m. On Sunday, the program starts with Cowboy Church at 9 a.m.

These weekend events usually attract around 250 spectators per event and are to be held at the label Rodeo grounds. Junior rodeo draws participants and fans from Glades, Lee, Okeechobee, Highlands, Palm Beach and Broward Counties. These people will stay overnight in local hotels and use the rodeo arena RV hook-ups. During their stay, they often visit local shops and restaurants and as such, have an economic impact on the county in grocery, store, and fuel purchases.

The Hendry County Tourist and Development Council (TDC) discussed these events at their own meeting on Oct. 7 and estimated a $12,000 total for the two rodeo events. The TDC submitted a proposal for commission approval of that total on Tuesday. The proposal states that “TDC and staff would like to see more community and tourism support for these events to help increase spectator traffic and show a greater demand for hotels in the LaBelle area while highlighting the history and importance of cattle ranching, and western/rodeo heritage, which is a large part of Hendry County’s heritage.”

The board approved voted and approved the sponsorship of $12,000, not to exceed $6,000 per event.

All Florida Junior Rodeos are also planned March 20-21 athe Bronson Arena, 301 10th Street in Moore Haven March 20-21, 2027; and April 17-18 at the Okeehcobee Agri-Civic Center in Okeechobee. The weekend of May 14-16, the State Finals will be held at the Okeechobee Agri Civic Center.