Last updated on December 3rd, 2024 at 11:32 am
Southernmost rodeo in the continental U.S.
Florida is a strange amalgam of Deep South meets New York, with a little Havana and Puerto Rico thrown in.
If you travel around the Sunshine State, you also learn about a rich history of cattle ranching and “cow hunters” — what Florida called its Cracker cowboys, who “hunted” cattle by rounding them up with distinctive-sounding bullwhips.
So, it is not all that surprising that Florida has a rich history of rodeos in its small towns. One of the longest lasting traditional rodeos and the southernmost rodeo in the United States is in Homestead.
The Homestead Rodeo celebrates its 76th year in 2025. It’s one of the first in the circuit of 600 rodeos sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and thus draws cowboys from around the country who want to start accumulating points toward the December national finals.
The rodeo is a mix of professional rodeo events and small-town celebration, but organizers bring in top talent — the best rodeo announcers, rodeo clown and barrelmen.
Seven championship events are featured; bare-back and saddle bronco riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and the crowd-pleasing bull riding.
Specialty acts include Tim Lepard “The Wild Thang” and Homestead Everglades Posse, a mounted drill team.
The first-ever Homestead Rodeo was held at Municipal Park on Nov. 11, 1949, and was sponsored by the Elks Lodge. The Homestead Rodeo Association was formed in 1952 by 17 local businessmen who shared a love of horses.
The rodeo has missed only one year, 1993, the year after Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead, including the rodeo arena.
Homestead Rodeo
- Dates: Jan. 24, 25, and 26, 2025
- Admission is $25 adults, $15 for kids. (2020 prices)
- Where: Harris Field, U.S. 1 and Campbell Drive, Homestead, FL
- There is a free rodeo parade at 11 a.m. Saturday in downtown Homestead
- For more information and ticket sales, go to homesteadrodeo.com
Things to do near Homestead
- Knaus Berry Farm. The Knaus family has operated a farm and bakery in the Redland for 50 years. When the storefront farm stand opens for the season in late October, folks start lining up. The cinnamon rolls are dense, rich and gooey and people go to extraordinary lengths to buy them. Read more about visiting Knaus Berry Farm. Be aware: Knaus Berry closes on Sunday.
- Robert Is Here. Famous for its fresh-fruit milk shakes, exotic fruits and vegetables, its petting zoo and general fun atmosphere, visit funky Robert Is Here on your way to nearby Everglades National Park.
- Of course, you’re moments from the Homestead entrance to Everglades National Park. Here’s a Florida Rambler guide to visiting the Everglades National park.
- Florida Rambler’s guide to the Redland area, which includes and surrounds Homestead, includes many other great stops: Schnebly Redland’s Winery, Cauley Square Historic Village. Read about exploring rustic charm in the Redland.
- There’s a unique park in Homestead that showcases trees and other plants that produce edible fruits and nuts. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on Fruit and Spice Park.
- One of the strangest places in South Florida is Coral Castle. Here from Florida Rambler are 15 things to amaze you at this mysterious ‘work of art’ in Homestead
- Love orchids? R.F. Orchids in the nearby Redland is a must for you.
Lodging & Camping
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Every perf varies and only has a scheduled start time, spend a few dollars and enjoy the Greatest Show on Dirt.