For two nights this fall, Carol Hodgson Arena will be filled with rodeo action, live music and family entertainment, but the Grit, Gold & Glory Pro Rodeo is ultimately about what happens after the dust settles.

The second annual rodeo, set for Oct. 23-24 in Bay Minette, will raise funds for FFA students at Elberta High School and Fairhope High School, helping provide opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom, a news release said.

“Putting on an event of this size takes a tremendous amount of work, but our students are the reason we do it,” Kelsey Hopper, Elberta High School agriculture teacher and FFA adviser, said in the release. “The support we receive from our businesses, sponsors, families and community allows us to give our students opportunities that would not otherwise be possible. Every ticket purchased and every sponsorship truly comes back to our kids.”

The event will feature professional rodeo action both nights. Gates will open at 6 p.m., with the rodeo beginning at 7:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to arrive early for live entertainment from the Justin Howard Band, food and activities before the rodeo begins.

Friday's festivities will include Mutton Bustin', giving some of the rodeo's youngest competitors a chance to enter the arena. Saturday will feature Rodeo Queen appearances and a patriotic “Merica” theme night.

A Kid Zone will offer pony rides, face painting and bounce houses, while food and drink vendors will be available throughout the evening.

While the rodeo offers plenty of entertainment for families, its larger purpose is to invest in the next generation of Baldwin County agriculture leaders.

Funds raised through the event will support FFA members from Elberta and Fairhope as they participate in leadership development, agricultural education, competitions, conventions, career-development opportunities and hands-on experiences.

Those opportunities can take many forms for students, from traveling somewhere they have never been to competing in an FFA event for the first time. They also can help students discover a future career or develop the confidence to become leaders in their schools and communities.

“Our goal is to build something that our students and our community can be proud of year after year,” Hopper said. “Agriculture is such an important part of Baldwin County, and this is an opportunity to celebrate that heritage while investing in the young people who will carry it forward.”

Local businesses have helped make the rodeo possible through sponsorships and community partnerships. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain available for businesses or individuals who want to support the event and the students it benefits.

The 2nd Annual Grit, Gold & Glory Pro Rodeo will be held Oct. 23-24 at Carol Hodgson Arena in Bay Minette. Gates open at 6 p.m., with rodeo action beginning at 7:30 p.m. each night.