The rodeo, hosted by the West Fair & Rodeo Association since 1947, kicked off its four-day series on Wednesday with the first qualifier at Mutton Bustin, which featured 81 competitors.

Children ages 7 and younger, weighing less than 60 pounds, put their grasping skills to the test as four groups of about 20 Mutton Busters each attempted a clean ride. Mutton bustin’ is a common rodeo event in which children ride or race sheep for as long as possible, similar to bull or wild horse riding.

Before the Mutton Bustin’ event, the parking lot of the West Fair & Rodeo Association grounds at 1110 S. Main St., directly across from the West Little League Baseball Fields, was filled with cars.

“It was actually a lot more than I expected,” said director Mark Cunningham about the number of visitors. “It will be even more from now on. I can say that because I have spoken to many mothers and fathers who were really interested, even in riding the calves.”

Wednesday’s festivities also included junior barrel racing, calf riding, junior pole bending and junior bull riding.

The biggest attraction, however, was the Mutton Bustin, said Cunningham.

The top five competitors from each of the four Mutton Buster groups advanced to the championship rounds on Friday and Saturday, Cunningham said. On the final two days, 10 competitors compete against each other, and the champions win belt buckles as trophies. Parents were charged $50 per entry.

The belt buckles were made by Troy Fischer Silverworks, a maker of handmade belt buckles based “in a ranching region” near Mayerthorpe, Alberta, Canada, according to the company’s website.

“This is no ordinary child’s buckle,” Cunningham said.

Admission to the first day of the rodeo on Wednesday was $5, with children under 10 admitted free. The rodeo continued on Thursday with the third annual Bull Fest of West, Cunningham said.

“We have a huge group of very talented bull riders and bull men that come,” said Cunningham, who oversees Bull Fest. “We have 38 professional gentlemen that come from all over to ride.”

“I have teams from Missouri and Oklahoma and a lot of Brazilian bull riders are there too.”

Thursday night also featured live acoustic music by James Hollingsworth. Thursday was the rodeo’s “Military Night,” where all active duty, veterans, and retired military personnel with a valid military ID received free admission.

The rodeo’s main events take place on Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. both nights. There is live music and entertainment after each performance, including the Heart of Texas Road Gang on Friday and Brit Kerr on Saturday.

Both musical performances will be street dance style between the concession stand and the clubhouse on the fairgrounds. There will also be a rodeo parade at 10am on Saturday.

Visitors will notice a variety of food vendors while exploring the West Fair & Rodeo Association grounds. The vendors offer sausage rolls, cold drinks, and more. There are also over 20 vendor booths located throughout the rodeo grounds.

Tickets for the rodeo are available at the gate only, and the event is cash only. Admission is $15 per person on Friday and Saturday, with children under 10 free.

With a goal of setting a record attendance three years in a row, the West Fair & Rodeo Association promises to live up to expectations, Cunningham said.

“If you know West, you know the rodeo,” Cunningham said.