Okmulgee, Okla. – The 65th annual Okmulgee Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo, the nation’s oldest all-black professional rodeo event, has announced plans to proceed with staging this year’s program in August as it considers different scenarios related to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Co-owner Kenneth LeBlanc said the two biggest issues unresolved are if they will be able to attract enough contestants to compete in the two-day event – that is sanctioned by the 35-year-old Bill Pickett Invitation Rodeo Associated (BPIR) – and will they open it to spectators at the Bob Arrington Arena.

LeBlanc said he hopes by the time the rodeo’s Aug 7-8 date arrives that restrictions will have been removed to allow spectators to attend sporting events.

LeBlanc, 67, said they will likely adopt similar strategies being used at other sporting events – including NASCAR, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, World Wrestling Entertainment, professional golf – that are holding events without spectators, for now.

While the rodeo is a break-even operation, LeBlanc said they rely on sponsors, paying spectators, vendors and the participants to help pay for their operating budget.