You don’t have to own a 10-gallon hat to have a blast at Cowtown Rodeo. The PRCA-sanctioned rodeo (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) packs a lot of action into an evening’s entertainment. Each week, cowboys and cowgirls compete for points in seven events: bareback bronco riding, calf roping, saddle bronco riding, steer wrestling, brahma bull riding, team roping and girls’ barrel racing. The action is fast and non-stop and -- when the bulls go charging at the rodeo clowns who jump in the ring to give the fallen cowboys a chance to make a clean get-away -- heart-pounding.

But the action isn’t limited to the rodeo ring.

The minute you spot the statue of the 25-foot tall cowboy, you know this isn’t going to be just another Saturday night. To make the most of the evening, arrive early and hit the vendor tents, where you can pick up some western gear for the whole family. Kids can get the pix taken sitting atop the statue of the giant bull or take a peek at the steer lined up in the pens. And a live country western band adds a lively and authentic background the goings-on.

You can bring a cooler of non-alcoholic beverages, but part of the fun is the food. Put your diet on the back burner for one night and spring for some cheese fries or, Cowtown’s culinary specialty, deep-fried Oreos.