After a successful debut, 8 Seconds Rodeo returns for a second run in North Philly
The Black rodeo show and celebration, that saw 6,000 attendees last year, is coming back to the Liacouras Center in October
In the words of 8 Seconds Rodeo founder Ivan McClellan, the annual showcase is “Black by popular demand.”
After attracting 6,000 attendees to last year’s inaugural event in North Philadelphia, the all-Black rodeo returns for a second run at the Liacouras Center on October 10.
Dozens of bull riders, barrel racers, bareback horseman, and fiery mutton busters will compete on the arena’s dirt-covered floors for a total of $150,000 in prize money.
Last year, McClellan said, the entertainment company “stepped out on faith.”
“I didn’t know if it was going to be successful at all. We just completely hung it out there and took a big risk,” he said. “And the people showed up.”
For years, McClellan put on 8 Seconds Rodeo in his hometown of Portland, Ore. But after moving from the Pacific West to Chester County, he was determined to bring the “unapologetically Black event” to his new home.
He leaned on legacy organizations and local equestrians to help organize and promote the event, which led to a successful regional debut. Now, McClellan is looking to “refine the production,” and make this year’s event bigger than the last. “We’re going to expand our capacity to the max,” he said.
“We have the best Black athletes in rodeo gearing up for this,” he said. “It’s their Super Bowl.”
The essence of the rodeo will largely remain the same. North Philly’s DJ Diamond Kutz will curate the music; two million pounds of dirt and dozens of live stock will be transported to the North Philly arena; and both local and national athletes will compete on its grounds.
“It’s going to be a Philly event through and through,” McClellan said.
He said he aims to bring a total of 7,700 attendees this fall for a “rock concertlike production.” To reach that goal, he’s offering discounted tickets for all early buyers on July 31.
All 8 Seconds Rodeo VIP tickets will be priced at $42 for the first eight hours, then returned to the regular tier-based $60-$100 pricing once the window closes.
“I want to reward the people that rock with us,” he said. “It’s all about family. It’s all about community. I want people to experience the rodeo, regardless of where they’re at economically.”
Marking down ticket prices, McClellan said, is in line with 8 Seconds Rodeo’s mission.
He founded the entertainment company in 2023 to celebrate Black rodeo athletes and history, and open doors for others to experience it themselves — no matter their interpretation of the Western tradition.
“I want anybody from any walk of life to come into our building, feel comfortable and get excited about rodeo,” McClellan said. “We want to create a space that’s inclusive and an environment that’s welcoming to anybody.”
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on July 31. For more information, visit 8secondsrodeo.com.
