Contact: Kenneth Billings
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The Mississippi Horse Park adjacent to Mississippi State University celebrates its 10th anniversary next weekend with a three-day fair featuring professional bull riding, carnival rides, live entertainment, harness racing, and a 5K run.
From Friday-Sunday [Oct. 2-4], midway rides and games will be open daily, as will free pony rides and a petting zoo for children. Daily arm-band admission specials will be available for the midway, Sunday's live 1-7 p.m. music and 1-6 p.m. harness racing.
Located south of campus on Poorhouse Road, the park is a partnership among MSU, the City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County. The facility is host to an average 40 events annually and, in 2008, welcomed more than 33,000 visitors. It also supports weekly university-led laboratories and classes, as well as a therapeutic riding program.
"We are so excited about our 10th anniversary and the tremendous success we have had over the years," said manager Bricklee Miller. "The celebration fair is our way of saying thanks for the community's support."
Miller said C and M Southern Midways of Eastavoga, Ala., featured recently in a Hannah Montana movie, is providing the 18 rides, as well as traditional games and carnival food.
At 7 p.m. Saturday [the 3rd], a PBR Enterprise-organized bull riding competition will take place in the arena. Admission is $15 for adults; $5 for children.
In association with Saturday's festivities, MSU's human resources management department is sponsoring a 7 a.m. "Get in the Game 5K Run" at the park to benefit the 2009 United Way campaign. Registration is $20 in advance; $25 on race day. For more information, contact Sarah White at 662-325-3713 or swhite@hrm.msstate.edu.
For more information about the 10th anniversary fair, contact Miller at 325-9350 or visit http://msucares.com/centers/agricenter/events/fair.pdf.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.