EAST LANSING – A new tradition is coming to Michigan State University this fall with the launch of the Inaugural Michigan Heritage Rodeo – A Salute to Cowgirls & Cowboys of Color, a two-day celebration of culture, courage, and community.
Buy Tickets HERE
Set for September 19 and 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. each evening, the rodeo will showcase the powerful legacy and modern-day impact of diverse voices in Western heritage. The family-friendly event is being presented by two Lansing-based nonprofits: Frankie’s Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade, which uses equine-based activities to inspire youth, and the Dream Warriors Project, which focuses on developing successful young leaders.
Produced by Latting Rodeo Productions, a nationally respected organization with more than 50 years of experience, the event will feature top rodeo contestants from across the country, cultural and educational exhibits, live music, and interactive activities for all ages.
Organizers say the rodeo is about more than competition—it is also about honoring stories that are often overlooked in American history.
“The rodeo experience will not only educate youth about our rich Western heritage but also show them the many possibilities for their future in agriculture and equine,” said Jermo Reese, co-chair of the Michigan Heritage Rodeo and founder of Frankie’s Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade.
The event will spotlight the contributions of Black, Indigenous, Latino, and other cowboys and cowgirls of color, recognizing their role in shaping both the past and future of rodeo and agriculture.
“This is more than a rodeo—it’s a movement,” said Janet E. Howard, co-chair of the Michigan Heritage Rodeo and executive director of the Dream Warriors Project. “We’re celebrating history, creating opportunity, and building a future where everyone sees themselves in the story of the American West.”
The Michigan Heritage Rodeo will also honor Desmond “Moneyball” Ferguson as the 2025 Grand Marshal. Organizers say the event has already drawn strong support from a wide cross-section of individuals and organizations across the state.