The Trinity Valley Community College National Intercollegiate Rodeo turns 15 in two weeks. The annual event is scheduled April 21-22 at the Henderson County Fair Park Complex.

Performances are scheduled to begin at 7:30 each night. Slack is set to begin at 12 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.  

General admission tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the gate. Admission is free to children 12 and under and to TVCC staffers/students with current IDs.

Each NIRA member college has its own club composed of student members and sponsored by a faculty advisor who supervises the club's activities. Each year, a men's team consisting of six members and a four-member women's team is chosen from each school.

These team members travel to the regional rodeos competing against other NIRA member schools. Those not chosen for the team may compete on an individual basis and still be eligible for all prizes except those given to the team.

The top three contestants in each event from each of the NIRA's 11 regions qualify to compete in the CNFR. The top two men's teams and women's teams also qualify from the regions.

The event will feature approximately 400 contestants representing colleges and universities including: Hill College, Southwest Texas Junior College, Texas A&M University-Commerce, McNeese State University, Blinn College, Northeast Texas Community College, Panola College, Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Wharton County Junior College and TVCC. 

All proceeds generated by the rodeo are given back to the students to further their education. 

Sponsors for the event include Living for The Brand Cowboy Church, Henderson County Farm Bureau, Athens Bank, Kevin Lilly's McDonalds, Vera Bank, Best Western Plus, Holiday Inn Express, Super 8, UT Health East Texas EMS, Rodeo Monogram Shop, Miars Enterprises LP, Southside Feed, Reynolds New York Store, Mills Feed, Cole Air Conditioning and Appliance Company, Phoenix Landscape Services, First State Bank, KCKL and Whataburger.

Also, Simmons Bank, Champion Genetics,  Heritage Land Bank, Wal-Mart, Prosperity Bank, Henderson County Veterinary Clinic, Smith Lumber, Athens Tractor and Equipment, Athens Equine, Aguilera Land Clearing and Equipment Rental, Spencer Hardware, East Texas Ag Supply, Hannigan-Smith Funeral Home, Steve Grant Real Estate, All Around Storage, Athens Animal Clinic, Outlaw Spirit,  Bacon Auto Ranch, FB Potter Concrete, Tettenhorst Pluming, Reigning Jewels, Cowboy Headquarters, United Pro Rodeo Company, HDP Construction Services, Grapeland Farm Supply, Holders Backhoe Service, Yates & Associates, Rivers Schara Insurance and LandPro Services.

Local hotels offering competitive rates for rodeo competitors and families are Holiday Inn Express, Best Western Royal Mountain Inn and Super 8.