Celina has long been a “western” town. Established in 1879, farmers and ranchers built the town. However, it nearly disappeared in the late 1800s, with a population of just fifty in 1892. But after World War II, the town grew steadily, increasing from 1,051 residents in 1950 to 1,737 in 1990. Today it is recognized as the fastest growing city in the US with the US Census Bureau reporting 43,717 residents, a 27% increase over 2022. According to Celina Economic Development Corporation, projections indicate a potential population of 378,000 at full buildout.
Fifty years ago, families in the area attended weekly Celina Riding Club “playdays”: rodeo type competitions for youth and adults alike. At that time, the arena sat by the railroad tracks on land owned by a cow trader. Playdays stopped in the late 1970s. But the desire to have a rodeo never lessened. As growth of the town explodes, many leaders and long-time residents feared the rich heritage of Celina would be lost. In 2023, Rodeo Celina, a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, was founded by a group of Celina civic leaders, business owners, and volunteers in partnership with the Greater Celina Chamber Foundation. It held its inaugural event at Southfork Ranch on May 31–June 2, 2024.
Rodeo Celina writes the next rodeo chapter in Celina, committed to sustaining and celebrating the community’s cultural roots. This event serves as a reminder of the values that define the city’s cowboy culture and honors those who continue to live that heritage. Celina resident Punk Carter, a lifelong cowboy who has always dreamed of having an indoor arena in Celina, said in 2024, “It looks like our dream is finally coming true. Having this rodeo is just the beginning of that dream becoming a reality.”
Along with being an excellent competitive rodeo, Rodeo Celina is also a large-scale community celebration that captures the essence of Life Connected. Caleb Lavey, Rodeo Celina Foundation board member and Title Sponsor from Rex Real Estate stated, “Launching a rodeo is not about the arena we lack, but the spirit we harness. Let’s ride towards our dreams, dust off doubts, and raise funds for our youth and start turning our vision into an arena in Celina where champions are born.”
The upcoming Rodeo Celina, scheduled from May 30 to June 1, 2025, at Southfork Ranch, promises to be a celebration of talent, resilience, and community spirit. This year's event not only continues its tradition of showcasing remarkable women in rodeo but also introduces exciting new features to enhance the experience.
Liberty Cunningham Returns
A highlight of the rodeo is the return of 14-year-old trick riding sensation, Liberty Cunningham. Hailing from Kansas, Liberty has captivated audiences nationwide with her daring stunts that blend horsemanship, dance, and gymnastics. Liberty Cunningham dreamed of being a professional trick rider since she was a toddler. At just 8 years old, that dream became a reality. She is a 3rd-generation rodeo cowgirl and comes from a competitive rodeo family known for training quality barrel racing horses. Liberty has ridden since she was a baby and began competing in youth rodeos at age 5. She was a Top 20-barrel racer at the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo in 2020 and has held several rodeo princess titles. At age 14, Liberty performs a unique signature act that features three disciplines – trick riding, Roman riding and liberty horse – and four horses. Her performances are a testament to her dedication and skill, inspiring many young enthusiasts. Reflecting on her role, Liberty expressed, "I am really excited to be a part of it, to inspire other little girls the way I was inspired."
Barrel Racers: Undeterred by Challenges
Last year's Rodeo Celina was a memorable event, not least because of the challenging weather conditions. Despite a muddy arena, the barrel racers showcased their determination and skill, delivering thrilling performances that resonated with the audience. 2024 Barrel Racing winner Chloe Gray braved the mud to achieve success in the inaugural rodeo. The event's commitment to proceeding "rain or shine" highlighted the resilience of these athletes and the spirit of the rodeo community.
New Additions: Concerts and Breakaway Roping
This year, Rodeo Celina is elevating the experience by adding two concerts to the lineup, promising attendees not only exhilarating rodeo action but also live musical entertainment.
Josh Ward
Friday, May 30
10:00pm
It’s appropriate that Ward lead the lineup since he began his career in rodeo. While competing on the rodeo circuit, he would sing for fun. However, his talent was quickly recognized, and Ward made the leap from riding to singing. His debut album, Promises, was released in 2011. And in 2019 he achieved a life goal when he released Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, an album recorded live at the world’s largest honky-tonk. His most recent album, Same Ol’ Cowboy, dropped earlier this year.
Randall King
Saturday, May 31
10:00pm
A West Texas native and self-described “old soul,” King is a proud voice in the revival of traditional country music. His deep, rich tone and classic twang has helped him to amass more than 300 million streams with singles like “You In A Honky Tonk,” “Hey Cowgirl” and “Mirror, Mirror.” His 2022 major label album debut, Shot Glass, landed on both Whiskey Riff’s Top 40 Country Albums of 2022 and Billboard’s All Genre 50 Best Albums of 2022 (So Far).
Concert Tickets
The concert is general admission, and tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children ages 3-10. Kids 2 and younger get in free. Tickets can be purchased at RodeoCelina.com. Doors to the Oil Baron’s Ballroom will open at 9 p.m. each night.
Breakaway Roping is a new event this year. Entry registration opens in May and is expected to be a popular event.
Family Friendly Fun
Kids Zone
Kids Zone opens in the air-conditioned Atrium at 5:00pm Friday and Saturday and 12:00pm Sunday. It will feature kids’ activities, food stations, bars and a place to sit and cool off.
Vendor Alley
Vendor Alley opens at 5:00pm Friday and Saturday and 12:00pm Sunday with western merchants including custom-crafted Rodeo Celina cowboy hats from Celina’s own, Caimey Hats Collection.
Rodeo Celina is proud to partner with Caimey Carter, founder and designer of Caimey Hats, to bring custom-crafted Rodeo Celina cowboy hats to our community. A name deeply rooted in Texas rodeo culture, Caimey is not only a talented artisan but also a highly accomplished horsewoman with a lifetime of experience in the arena.
Born into a legacy of horsemanship, Caimey rode her first cutting horse competition in Oklahoma at just three years old. From there, she built an impressive career, competing in youth cuttings across East Texas and securing multiple championships before the age of 11. Her passion and skill continued to shine throughout her high school years, where she was a three-time Champion Girl Cutter in the Texas High School Rodeo Association Region IV and a state finalist in both cutting and breakaway roping.
After high school, Caimey turned her focus to mentoring the next generation, teaching western riding and cutting to students of all ages. Today, she continues to train horses and hold lessons alongside her father, rodeo legend Punk Carter, whose contributions to the sport and to Rodeo Celina are immeasurable.
As a fifth-generation cowgirl, mother, and dedicated horsewoman, Caimey is passionate about preserving and passing down the values of the western way of life. Her commitment to craftsmanship and tradition is evident in every hat she creates, and Rodeo Celina is honored to share her work.
This collaboration is more than just custom cowboy hats—it’s a tribute to a rich rodeo heritage, a commitment to quality, and a way to keep the spirit of the west alive for generations to come.
Event Details
Dates: May 30 – June 1, 2025
Location: Southfork Ranch, Parker, TX
Ticket Prices: Adults: $20; Children (3-10): $12; Children 2 and under: Free
May 30 | Thank a Veteran Day - American Legion Post 145
5:00PM Doors Open – Food Tents, Bars and Kids Zone Open
6:30PM Pre-Rodeo Mutton Bustin’
7:00PM Introductions, Prayer & National Anthem
Events Begin: Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Trick Riding with Liberty, Saddle Bronc Riding, Clowning Around with Kyle Lamon, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding
9:00PM Concert Doors Open – Oil Baron’s Ballroom
10:00PM Josh Ward Concert
May 31 | Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day - Supporting Tuman Breast Health Foundation
5:00PM Doors Open – Food Tents, Bars and Kids Zone Open
6:30PM Pre-Rodeo Mutton Bustin’
7:00PM Introductions, Prayer & National Anthem
Events Begin: Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Trick Riding with Liberty, Saddle Bronc Riding, Clowning Around with Kyle Lamon, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding
9:00PM Concert Doors Open – Oil Baron’s Ballroom
10:00PM Randall King Concert
June 1 | Orange Out! - Supporting Celina ISD
12:00PM Doors Open – Food Tents, Bars and Kids Zone Open
1:30PM Pre-Rodeo Mutton Bustin’
2:00PM Introductions, Prayer & National Anthem
Events Begin: Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Trick Riding with Liberty, Saddle Bronc Riding, Clowning Around with Kyle Lamon, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding
Be part of the action!
Sign up to volunteer: rodeocelina.com/volunteer/
Sponsorship Opportunities
Rodeo Celina wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our local businesses. Want to see your brand front and center at this year’s event? Now’s your chance! Sponsorships are available, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to showcase your business. Reach out today and join the rodeo family!
Membership Opportunities
Last year, Rodeo Celina was proud to award $25,000 in scholarships and support to Celina FFA and student organizations—helping the next generation of ag leaders. These awards are made possible by generous folks through Spurs Memberships and Rodeo Celina’s Founders’ Club. Want to be part of something big? Memberships are on sale now—don’t miss your chance to make a difference!
Rodeo Celina 2025 is set to be a remarkable event, celebrating the prowess of women in rodeo, introducing new entertainment features, and reinforcing its commitment to community engagement. Whether you're a rodeo enthusiast or a newcomer, this event promises an unforgettable experience.