Bull Riding Showdown, BBQ launch Koloa Plantation Days

The inaugural Bull Riding Showdown and Paniolo BBQ will launch the 10-day Koloa Plantation Days celebration as well as set the stage for the Plantation Days Rodeo.

Presented by Kalapaki Joe’s and CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu, the Bull Riding Showdown and Paniolo BBQ on Friday offers visitors, cowboys and residents a night of family fun, great food, a beer garden and live music with Wally Rita Y Los Kauaianos at the CJM Country Stables.

Gates to the event open at 4 p.m. Friday with a $5 admission fee, states a release.

Double mugging and the American West Barrel Racing will be featured in the CJM Arena prior to the start of the Bull Riding Showdown, which will start at 6 p.m.

Known as the toughest sport on dirt, the Bull Riding Showdown will be the first of this magnitude on Kaua‘i.

Bull riders and hand-picked bulls from around the state will be at the CJM Country Stables to compete for the $2,000 prize purse offered by Kalapaki Joe’s and Destination Autoworks.

Executive Chef Andy Althouse, KJ Albarado and the culinary crew at Kalapaki Joe’s will anchor the Paniolo BBQ, which features a Hawaiian kalua pig plate with lomi lomi salmon, steamed rice and macaroni salad, pulled pork sliders or grilled huli huli chicken sliders with cole slaw and a huli huli chicken thigh plate.

Kona Brewing Co. and Bud Light will sponsor the beer garden and beverage area.

Live local music headlined by Wally Rita Y Los Kauaianos and keiki activities, including face painting, storytelling and s’mores, are also on the agenda offerings.

The Bull Riding Showdown sets the stage for the 13th Annual Koloa Plantation Days Rodeo, which starts at 11 a.m. Sunday with events including the Po‘o Y U, team roping, double mugging, steer riding, barrel racing and more.

Visit www.koloaplantationdays.com for more information.