Guts and Glory at Angola
PHOTO CAPTION : This is an actual bull used in the “Guts & Glory” event for 11 years. He was 15, weighed over 1850 pounds and is now displayed in the museum as part of rodeo history.
Hey it’s that time of year again. Grab the kids and let’s head to the prison for a day of crafts and good old fashioned rodeo fun.’ This statement may sound a little odd, but in thousands of families in Louisiana this is exactly what is said. Let me explain. Angola, Louisiana’s State Penitentiary holds its legendary rodeo in which the inmates star every Sunday in October and one Sunday in April. Yes, it is true that Angola once held the reputation for being the most brutal prison in the nation. However, times have change and while it is still the largest maximum security male prison in the US with over five thousand inmates, today it is widely known as the home to the longest running rodeo, dubbed as “The Wildest Show in the South.” Locals like to joke that rodeo days are the only days people are in and out of prison in one day, while paying to do so.
Sun Fiesta adds an 'Idol' contest
Club members promise another fun-packed, three-day event, from Friday through Sunday, that brings together a community intent on celebrating its unity.
Now in its third decade, the event will include crowd favorites, such as the bed race that scurries up West Venice Avenue, the crowning of Miss Sun Fiesta and the popular Saturday morning parade.
"This year's parade is probably the biggest we've staged," club President Mary Littel said. "There are over 60 entrants, including a special appearance by Smokey Bear, care of the Florida Forest Service, the Wells Fargo stagecoach and horses and a dose of Florida history, thanks to the Royal Order of Ponce De Leon Conquistadors."
Along with those long-time favorites, new attractions are in store as Littel and Barbara Koehler, the club's publicity chairwoman revealed.
"For the first time, we have a Sun Fiesta Idol contest," Littel said. "There are seven contestants, and we hope everyone will come along and vote for their favorite performer.
People who wear T-shirts and who have a week's worth of stubble (my mien on Friday) get different answers from protesters than people who wear ties. Even so, the protesters had been here long enough to employ caution. After two weeks, you had to be an
