A wrangler walks onto the arena field on Oct. 6 at the 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser]
Men wrestled steers as people observed and cheered. The crowd was a practical sea of cowboy hats.
Earlier in the day, kids dashed to pick up candy from the ground.
Such were the scenes from the 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo and Rodeo Parade in Bonifay, held Oct. 5-7 at Memorial Field and throughout town.
That Friday night, country music act Will Bannister entertained the crowd before the riding and other competitions got underway. Announcer Andy Seiler welcomed the crowd.
Friday night also saw American flags lining the arena and some people decked out in red, white, and blue since that day was a patriotic night.
Country music act Will Bannister entertains the crowd before the competitions begin at the 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay on Oct. 6. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser] Event mascot Buddy the Bull was available for kids to take pictures on at the 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay on Oct. 6. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser] The 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay brought out a crowd of spectators in cowboy hats to watch steer wrestling and other equestrian competitions. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser] The 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay held a patriotic night on Oct. 6, with American flags lining the arena at Memorial Field. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser] A horse rider poses for the crowd on Oct. 6 before the games begin at the 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser] A wrangler walks onto the arena field on Oct. 6 at the 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser] A competitor gathers his bearings in the arena on Oct. 6 at the 79th annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay. [COLLIN BREAUX | The News and Advertiser]
By COLLIN BREAUX
Staff Report 
Hannah Collins 