One of the best ways we know to get a feel for small town living is by attending the local county fair and rodeo. You’re in luck if you’ve already settled in to one of the best apartments in Athens, because you’re probably within easy walking or biking distance to attend the August 7 Athens County Fair and Rodeo.
OK, so even if you start practicing now you probably won’t be good enough by the time the fair opens to participate in tie down roping or team roping events, but there’s always next year. All you need is a good rope and a roping dummy (both available online, but maybe also from the county fair) so you can practice hard for next year’s event.
No yen to rodeo? No matter; the fair and rodeo are still fun, particularly if you’re from the big city, so you can get a handle on the small-town atmosphere of a place like Athens, beyond the college scene. Events include these:
- Bareback bronc riding
- Bull riding
- Cowgirl’s barrel racing
- Cowgirl’s breakaway roping
- Saddle bronc riding
- Steer wrestling
- Team roping
- Tie Down Roping
Rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. The Athens County Fair runs Aug. 2-7 at the Athens County Fairgrounds.