GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - The Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is headed back to the Coast for another year of family-friendly fun. This year, the rodeo runs Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7.
Whether you’re a tourist wanting to hear live music and eat some good food, or a local looking to get out and fish, the rodeo has the perfect recipe for a fun weekend.
Richard Valdez with the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo says anglers who enter into the rodeo come from both right here on the Coast and many other states.
“We usually have somewhere around 200 fishermen enter the tournament,” Valdez says. “Usually around 100 kids... On Saturday is our big Kids Rodeo. So a lot of kids come out and fish that, and we support them. That’s our future fishermen. That’s what we’re looking forward to doing.”
Anglers are allowed to fish the whole Gulf of Mexico and all freshwater bayous throughout the state of Mississippi.
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“They bring their fish in... It’s an exciting time to see them, they’re all on a big display,” Valdez said.
The Princess Pageant is a scholarship pageant the rodeo has held for many years. All the participating girls get a scholarship from the rodeo.
“We’ve had queens from way back that their kids now are entering in the rodeo, so it’s just a long history... We hear people all the time come to the fishing rodeo and the first thing they say is ‘Hadn’t been since I was a kid. I moved out of state, but I’m back and I brought my family,’ so it’s a great time,” Valdez said.
Valdez says much of the fish caught during the rodeo is donated to a local food bank.
The rodeo also includes arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment and fair rides.
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The event takes place at Jones Park in Gulfport and runs from noon on the Fourth of July to 10:30 p.m. Sunday. See a schedule of events HERE.
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