The Angola Prison Rodeo is back every Sunday in October, featuring adrenaline-pumping events like Convict Poker, Wild Cow Milking, and the renowned Guts-n-Glory.
Held at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, the show starts at 1 p.m., with gates opening at 8 a.m. for pre-rodeo festivities.
Warden Tim Hooper says visitors can enjoy delicious Southern cuisine and shop a variety of handmade crafts such as jewelry, leather goods, and woodworking.
“And there’s about 50 food booths, and other events they can take part in during the day. We have inmate bands playing throughout the day. There’s plenty of hobby crafts for them to come out and purchase.”
This year’s events are on October 6, 13, 20, and 27, with tickets available for $20 each. Purchases can be made online or by phone. All proceeds fund reentry programs to help inmates reintegrate successfully after release.
“So they make a little bit of money. The state makes a little bit of money, and we don’t have to use taxpayers’ money to train these offenders. You know, which some will go home, and they go home with a trade.”
For families, there are kid-friendly attractions like pony rides and carnival games. Hooper says come for the excitement, stay for the crafts, and support a good cause.
“You’ll have activities from 8 a.m. in the morning, You know its just different events for the kids. We have a little merry-go-round, a little Ferris wheel. So, it's different things for the kids to do all day long.”
