Getting bucked off a horse is about as fun as a root canal, but after you’ve parted company with him, Mr. Horse doesn’t want to hurt you. Most likely, he’ll high tail it for the next county.

If you’re riding a bull, a shockingly agile and powerful 2,000 pound creature, staying on his back throughout the entire eight second rodeo ride – which feels roughly the same length of time as it took the universe to be formed – is only part of the challenge.

After a bull dumps you, he does want to hurt you. Goring you, tossing you in the air with his horns, or trampling you are all activities that would raise Mr. Bull’s spirits. This is the reason that bull riders never sit on the ground and moan or even take a moment to figure out if they are hurt, but instead, begin a mad scramble towards the nearest fence almost before they have hit the dirt.

The rodeo clown has a deadly serious job, which is to divert the bull’s attention away from his fallen rider. Typically, rodeo clowns – also known as bullfighters --work in groups of three. Two are free-roaming bullfighters. The third rodeo clown is known as the “barrel man,” because he leaps in and out of hislarge padded barrel to help protect himself from the bull.

You can snag the chance to watch some of this crazy action Friday, July 4 at the Annual Bull-A-Rama Extravaganza in Arcadia, located about an hour east of Sarasota and Bradenton, or an hour north of Fort Myers.

Here’s how the day is going to unfold.

• Rise and shine! Ticket windows open at 9:00 am.
• Mosey over to the Spirit of America Parade, beginning at 10:00 am in downtown Arcadia.
• The gates to the Annual Bull-A-Rama Extravaganza open at 11:00 am.
• Hang on to your hats, and get ready for a whole lotta bull! The rodeo starts at 2:00 pm and will run until about 4:30 pm.

Besides the professional bull riding, events include:

• Have you ever seen a Calf Scramble? No, I don’t mean a baby cow running, I mean the event! Trust me; you don’t want to miss it. If you don’t trust me – though it is hard to believe that there is anyone who wouldn’t – check out this video. 
• A junior bull riding competition.
• Barrel Racing, including a division for juniors as well as women.

For more information about the Arcadia rodeo, click here.  For more information about the bull riding event, click here.  For more information about rodeo clowns and their jobs, click here.