OKEECHOBEE – The Great Florida Cattle Drive End of the Trail & Heritage Festival will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Arena on US 441.

Gates open at 9 a.m.

The vendor area will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Brisket Cookoff will start at 10 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. (For more information about the Brisket Cookoff, call 863-634-0650.)

Entertainment by a Bluegrass Band will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Kids Zone will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mutton Bustin event starts at 10 a.m. Advance registration is required. Mutton Bustin’ participants must sign up in advance by calling 863-634-1980; the event will be limited to 20 contestants. Mutton Busters’ weight limit is maximum of 50 pounds.

At 10:45 a.m., there will be a presentation about Florida Cattle History as the crow awaits the arrival of the cattle drive.

Around 11 a.m., the grand entry will start with the wagons, followed by the cattle, color guard and riders.

At 11:30 a.m. the Great Florida Cattle Drive president will make introductions.

At 12:30 p.m., there will be a Florida Cracker Cow Hunter demonstration with cows, horses, dogs and whips.

At 1:30 p.m., a cutting demonstration is planned, in which cowboys demonstrate how they “cut” cattle from a herd.

At 3 p.m., the winners of the Brisket Contest will be announced.

For advance tickets, go online to Eventbrite.com.

NOTE: The schedule is tentative and subject to change. The cattle drive will travel from the South Florida Water Management District property to the arena on the morning of the festival. Organizers have estimated the expected pace of the morning drive, but cattle can be unpredictable.