The 16th Annual Mountaineer Round Up and World Championship Rodeo was held over the July Fourth Weekend at the 4-T Arena on Corbin Branch Road in Taylor County.

Hundreds experienced rodeo fun as competitors compete for points in seven events from bare back riding to tie down roping. The idea of the competition is to gain enough points to move onto the World Championship Rodeo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Organizers believe a rodeo creates an atmosphere for the entire family.

"We did this 16 years ago to get the community out here to enjoy a good rodeo show like you would see out west." said Jeff Tucker, 4-T Arena Rodeo organizer.

Rodeo Announcer Jerry Todd has been here for 13 years. He says he enjoys doing rodeos back here in the east because of the entertainment factor.

"People are so enthused. You go out to Texas, Montana or any place like that. They see rodeo everyday, back here in the east its unique to be people back here and they enjoy it." said Todd.

So these cowboys and cowgirls are showing their spirit. The spirit of keeping the rodeo sport alive and the American spirit in all of us.

The rodeo was held for three days and ended with fireworks at night.