Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson invites everyone to attend the 61st annual Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo and announces the schedule of events taking place tomorrow, Thursday, February 12, and Friday, February 13. All events take place on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.
The Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Show officially wraps up with the Sale of Champions
tomorrow. The Sale of Junior Champions is an auction where livestock exhibitors winning Champion and Reserve Champion in the Junior Round-Up Market Divisions sell their animals and scholarships are awarded. It is one of the highlight events of the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo. Last year, $591,287 was raised and 41 scholarships were awarded to 4-H and FFA students during the 2025 Sale of Junior Champions.
The Dixie National Marketplace will open at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13. This massive expo is open to the public with no admission fee. Attendees will be able to find a variety of western and rodeo themed clothing and accessories, items for the farm like tractors and trailers, and specialty foods.
The first performance of the Dixie National Rodeo will kick off at 7:00 p.m. on Friday in the Mississippi Coliseum. The Rodeo will get started with a special, patriotic presentation by the Mississippi National Guard. Ole 60 will perform immediately following the Rodeo. Their hits include “Smoke & a Light,” “Brother Joe” and “Dust 2 Dust.” Tickets range from $20-$45 and are available to purchase at www.dixienational.org.
Scheduled Activities & Events for Thursday, February 12, 2026:
- 10:00 a.m. – Sale of Junior Champions Press Conference - Trade Mart Atrium
- 10:00 a.m. – Sale of Junior Champions Reception - Trade Mart Hall B
- 11:00 a.m. – Welcome/Presentation of Scholarships at Sale of Junior Champions - Trade Mart Hall C
- 11:00 a.m. – Sale of Junior Champions - Trade Mart Hall C
- 1:00 p.m. – Wagon Train arrives - Equine Center
Scheduled Activities & Events for Friday, February 13, 2026:
- 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. – Dixie National Steakhouse - Trade Mart
- 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. – Dixie National Marketplace - Trade Mart
- 4:00 p.m. – Wagon Train arrives - Equine Center
- 7:00 p.m. – Dixie National Rodeo featuring Ole 60 - Coliseum
- 10:00 p.m. – Dixie National Afterparty - Martin’s Downtown
In conjunction with the nationwide America250 celebrations, this year’s Dixie National will take on a special patriotic focus. Events of the 61st Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo run through Sunday, February 22, 2026. The Dixie National Rodeo, the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River, takes place Friday, February 13, through Saturday, February 21, inside the Mississippi Coliseum at the State Fairgrounds.
Rodeo Entertainment:
- Friday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m. – Ole 60
- Saturday, February 14, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Bayker Blankenship
- Sunday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. – Joe Nichols
- Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. – Tanya Tucker
- Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. – Waylon Wyatt
- Friday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m. – Muscadine Bloodline
- Saturday, February 21, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Mark Chesnutt
To purchase tickets to the Dixie National Rodeo, visit www.ticketmaster.com/search?q=dixie+national+rodeo online or the Coliseum Box Office in-person. For more information on the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit www.dixienational.org and follow the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo on Facebook, Instagram and X.
