Popular Clown Harris to Appear Again at Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo

The “Greatest Show on Dirt” is returning to Hattiesburg. The Department of Recreational Sports at The University of Southern Mississippi will host the 29^th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo on Feb. 14-15 at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center.

Lecile Harris, six-time Pro Rodeo Clown of the Year, will once again be making an appearance at the rodeo. Harris, a 50-year rodeo veteran, works nearly 125 performances a year at the world's biggest rodeos.

Harris entered the rodeo scene as a bullfighter in the 1950's and 60's and helped transform the sport from thrill show to the skillful art it is today. He has also worked on various TV shows including a regular role on “HEE HAW” and movies like “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James” and “W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings” with Burt Reynolds.

Bob Lowe, retired director of Southern Miss Dining and grand marshal of the 18^th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo, noted, “Lecile's comedic mannerisms, acts and jokes are copied by clowns and showmen across the globe. For nearly half a century, Lecile's bullfighting and comedic ability have saved many a cowboy and brought smiles and laughter to millions of people. He is truly one of rodeo's legends.”

The rodeo, which began in 1986 at the Southern Miss Equestrian Center with J. Hugh Mitchell as the first grand marshal, serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships and professional development. The rodeo has been held at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center since the building opened in 1999.

Each year at the rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls show off their elite skills in barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping and bull riding. The top riders qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which is held in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

“We are fortunate that the rodeo continues to be produced by Harper and Morgan Rodeo, the producers of the Dixie Nationals and provider of livestock to the National Finals Rodeo,” said Marc Crager, director for Southern Miss Recreational Sports. “Because of the quality and consistency of a professionally produced PRCA/WPRA rodeo, we have been able to provide scholarships annually to Southern Miss students.

Tickets are on sale now through Feb. 13 at TJ's Western Ware on U.S. Highway 49 and Hub City West on U.S. Highway 98 in Hattiesburg. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 after Feb. 13. All seats are reserved.

The rodeo is also sponsored by Southern Beverage, Comcast, B-95, McMullan Motors, Keith's Super Stores, Hattiesburg Clinic Sports Medicine, Forrest General Hospital, Copy Cats Printing, The Hattiesburg American, Neel Schaffer, Service Master and Southern Miss Recreational Sports.