Angola Prison Rodeo
Being from New Orleans, I never really experienced rodeos or any professional bull riding type events first hand. However, every year around October there is a slight buzz in the air about the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. NO, I am not referring to the buzz of the infamous electric chair, Gruesome Gertie! The Angola Prison Rodeo is an annual event located on the grounds of the Louisiana State Penitentiary commonly known as “The Farm.” The rodeo is held every Sunday during October and one weekend in April and is worth the drive.
So, why should it be on everyone’s Adventure Activities bucket list – especially if you live in Louisiana? Well, after experiencing it, here are my top reasons:
The Prison Rodeo Itself 
The rodeo is comprised of many different events including the familiar bull riding as well as numerous unexpected entertaining events. But what is unique is that the inmates participate and run the majority of the events themselves. These inmates have no experience, but volunteer to participate for both prizes and “glory.” In total, the inmates participate in about 10 events including: The Grand Entry (Seen Left), Bust Out, Bareback Riding, Wild Horse Race, Bull-Dogging, Inmate Pinball, Chariot Races, Wild Cow Milking, Bull Riding, Convict Poker, & Guts and Glory.
There are several other events that are run by and participated by professionals such as barrel racing by women competing on the professional tour. Plus you may get a chance to see some professional trick riders or a motorcycle daredevil. For the safety of the inmates and the entertainment of the onlookers, there are also professional rodeo clowns running around and adding friendly banter with the announcer.
The Arts & Craft Show
Before entering the Rodeo, I recommend getting there at least an hour early to explore the outdoor arts and craft show. There are paintings, leather goods, jewelry, woodwork, and even beautiful wooden furniture like handmade rocking chairs. But what is really cool is that many of the stalls are selling items made by the convicts themselves. It’s a unique experience as you walk around the outdoor stalls. If you decide you want to buy something, you get a purchase ticket from an inmate and take it to the cashier. Then return with your purchase receipt and can return your item to your car. At first you may seem a bit put off as you walk amid some free roaming inmates behind a metal fence. However, you soon relax as you explore the beauty of their handiwork.
Every October there's a slight buzz in the air at the State Penitentiary in Louisiana & it's not from the infamous electric chair, Gruesome Gertie! See why the Angola Prison Rodeo needs to be on your #Bucketlist! #OnlyLouisiana Click To TweetThe FOOD at the Angola Prison Rodeo
Don’t go to the prison rodeo expecting to eat anything healthy. But do expect to enjoy the smells and flavors of some of the best fair/rodeo food in the world! From gigantic smoked turkey legs to bowls of jambalaya to tamales and much more, you can find nearly anything your heart desires (and clog it up) while you eat at this event.
The highlight…DEEP FRIED COKE. That is right, I said it, DEEP FRIED COCA COLA!! Essentially, what they do is take coca cola and add it to a batter mixture. Then they drop the batter ball into a deep fryer and viola, you have DEEP FRIED COKE! Then they serve you several of the Fried Coke Balls in a cup, cover it with powdered sugar, and whip cream and drop a cherry on top. It tastes like a coke infused beignet or perhaps a funnel cake ball for you folk outside of Louisiana, just sweeter.
The Neighborhood
Ok so “the Farm” doesn’t have any direct neighbors but St. Francisville is about 20 minutes away. St. Francisville is a popular tourist destination, with a number of restored historic plantations open daily for tours, including Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, Audubon State Historic Site, Butler Greenwood Plantation, The Haunted Myrtles Plantation, as well as several antebellum gardens. Since the rodeo is on Sunday, why not make a weekend of it by showing up on Friday night and staying in one of St. Francisville’s beautiful Bed and Breakfasts. There are also plenty of Airbnbs in St. Francisville if you are looking for something a bit more cozy. But either way, this will allow you to explore the plantations on Saturday and then end your weekend at the Angola Rodeo on Sunday before heading home.
Another thing to do Sunday morning before getting to the rodeo is to explore the hidden Tunica Falls between St. Francisville and Angola. Clark Creek Natural Area, sometimes referred to as Tunica Falls, is a natural haven for bird watching, hiking, photography, botanizing and nature lovers. There are two trails you can take to reach the falls: the primitive trail or the improved pea graveled trail. It should take you about 2 hours if you take the improved trail.
So Grab your Cowboy Hat and get Going
So as you can see, the Angola Prison Rodeo is truly not to be missed. It has a little something for everyone. Whether you are a rodeo lover, a foodie, or an art collector, you will enjoy the event. The rodeo is also kid friendly – so the whole family can come!
For more information visit the Angola Prison Rodeo website, or its Facebook page. The event often sells out so be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. Happy trails!
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22 thoughts on “Angola Prison Rodeo”
I have only been to one rodeo — in Montana — and I asked so many naive questions about the experience that my guests that evening STILL tease me about it. At least I know better for my next rodeo, whether it’s in Cowboy Country or Louisiana!
For one moment I thought you were writing about a rodeo in Angola, the country. (Slowed the reading down after the first paragraph). I love to attend this event. I only done one rodeo before and that is the Calgary stampee in Canada, and that was an amazing experience. Its not just the show, its the experience, making new friends and having a few old drinks. My kinda weekend (shame I been tea total for a long time now..he he).
This is so interesting! I’ve never been to a rodeo, and certainly not anything on a prison grounds. Now, about that deep-fried Coke…I love Coke, but I’m an originalist and I don’t like my Coke tarnished in anyway (no rum-and-Coke, no flavored Cokes), so I don’t know how I feel about deep-fried Coke. I’d probably try, but I don’t know that I’d approve lol
Deep-fried Coke? Now, that’s something new. I thought that after I learned about deep-frying chocolate bars in UK, I’ve heard it all. But seems people never stop getting strange ideas.
So… did you like it? Would you recommend it? :)))
Haha, yeah, I was kind of shocked that they had Deep Fried Coca Cola also. It was interesting for sure and it tasted good but I have a sweet tooth so of course I liked it. I don’t think I would want to eat it all the time but for the Angola Prison rodeo, it was a great treat!
Oh no!!!! Gruesome Gertie!!! LOL, so bad. So… are the bull riders and arts & crafts creators prisoners?
Yup, Everyone working and riding from what we were told were prisoners. It was kind of strange walking around the giant craft booths seeing the inmates behind the tables and some having cages separating you from them. But from what I gather, many of the crafts are made by them and between selling and participating, it is how they earn money for the year. So I liked knowing we were supporting them in their rehab in some minor way!
What an interesting experience! I thought the rodeo took place at an old prison. I wonder how many guards placed in every places. Deep Fried Coke sounds interesting though. Seems like I can try it at home.
Well the Angola Prison is a historic prison but it is still very active. I don’t think they have ever had any issues that required extra guards because it is such an event for the prisoners that they maintain a level of respect for the event. Plus, they get paid for participating so I think they act extra good cause it equals money for them.
How fascinating that they have a rodeo on prison grounds. I would want to make sure I didn’t wander too far and get locked in! But I am sure it was a lot of fun. But trying the deep fried Coca Cola may make the whole experience over the top! It sounds like it would be worth planning a visit around the time of the Angola Prison Rodeo.
I am so with you on this! When we lived in Canada, we visited the “stampede” a few times, the Canadian version of the rodeo, and loved it! The whole atmosphere is magic and the stalls are wonderful – although I confess to never having tried coke balls! I think it is great that the inmates of the penitentiary participate alongside the professionals in this particular rodeo.
A rodeo and deep-fried coke – sounds so bad, it has to be good! Have to admit I love the unhealthy American junk food and I’ve never been to a rodeo – this sounds like it would be a cool thing to do! I love the fact the inmates take part – I’m assuming they aren’t serial killers or anything, lol
Haha, yeah I never asked any of them if they were serial Killers or what they were in for, I think that is considered rude. Plus it may be worse for my health to ask them that than the deep fried coke!
Yep, deep fried coca cola sounds amazingly unhealthy but the sort of thing I couldn’t resist trying. I’ve never been to a rodeo but this one at a prison has so many extras it really sounds like a great place to visit.
Haha, yeah, I love fair food! Not that I would ever want to eat any of it full time or at home even but there is something about having Deep Fried Something in a cup or on a stick that just sings, PARTY TIME! The Angola Prison Rodeo was my second rodeo I had ever been to besides the PBR in South Louisiana. But I will say that my wife is from Wyoming and even she said that this rodeo was totally legit & on the same level as most of theirs back home!
What an interesting concept!!! I think it’s amazing that these inmates get to participate in something like this. The arts & crafts show is great too. Seems like an awesome program to help prisoners slowly get back on their feet. Btw, where is that waterfall in St. Francisville?
Hey Jas, you can find them on the link above but essentially five of the Clark Creek Waterfalls are at the Tunica hills wildlife management area which is barely 25 minutes from St. Francisville, La.
What a unique post! I had no idea these type of activities in prison were a thing. We need more of these across the states – people shouldn’t be in cages, this is such a good step forward. Thanks for sharing!
Not sure if Prison Rodeos are much of a thing around the world like they are here in Louisiana at the famous Angola Prison Rodeo! We think it is a great way to rehab and perhaps help them find purpose again too!
I love this because it is so bizarre. I also like that it’s unique in that the prisoners are involved and there is typical Louisiana food, which I adore. Coke is awful for you, but also one of my favorite foods and I love a good beignet, so I would need to try a fried coke.
Yeah, the Fried Coca Cola was totally crazy but so yummy! If Darcee hadn’t pulled me away from the booth I might have gotten diabetes from eating too much of it! As for being bizarre, I agree that the Angola Prison rodeo is definitely quirky! But, to be honest, a man riding a wild bull or bucking bronco is quite unusual these days too!
Whatttt… deep fried coke! Who even knew that was a thing?! I’m intrigued, I’ll admit – and I think I’d even try it lol. The Angola Prison Rodeo actually sounds like a great way to pass a Sunday. I’ve never heard of a prison opening up for a ‘fair’ before, but what a fantastic idea. I can imagine it gives the inmates something to look forward to and something to work towards as well (for the crafty ones). I like the idea of making a weekend of it, as you suggested.
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