Rodeo News

Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo 2024

Written by

Get ready for one of the grandest events in the world located in the quaint Brazilian community of Barretos! The Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo is kicking off on August 15th – August 25th, 2024. The Festa do Peão de Barretos features all of the excitement and thrills of PRCA rodeos in addition to having a carnival and nightly concerts. The festival coincides with the anniversary of Barretos’ founding and attracts more than one million spectators each year to the two-million-square-meter complex.

Photo Courtesy of Alisson Demetrio

History

During the 1940s, cowboys from surrounding farms and ranches led herds of cattle to Barretos for slaughter. After making the trip, the cowboys gathered to demonstrate their skills amongst each other. A group of cowboys calling themselves The Independents decided to make the competition an annual event and the Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo was born. Today, cowboys and cowgirls from across Brazil, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the United States come to watch or participate in the events. The Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo is considered the largest rodeo in Latin America. In fact, the spectacular Brazil event is only second in size compared to the competition held each year in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photo Courtesy of Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo

Events

The many competitive events include barrel racing, bulldogging, steer wrestling, team penning, and the ever-popular bull riding. The bull-riding event poses a particular challenge for the cowboys from Brazil, as they try to match or break the record held by Adriano Moraes.

Photo Courtesy of Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo

Adriano Moraes

In 1994, Adriano Moraes became one of four athletes in history to ride the full eight seconds on 10 consecutive bulls. Another arena within the complex is designed especially for the youth rodeo. Future cowboys and cowgirls compete in a variety of events, which include mutton bustin’.

Photo Courtesy of Alisson Demetrio

Activities

The Festa do Peão de Barretos complex also features an abundance of shopping opportunities. Vendors offer a variety of traditional foods and beverages along with Western attire and culture-based souvenirs. Barretos is situated in the Lakes region of Brazil, which offers many different outdoor recreation options. There are hiking trails galore along with an outdoor gym and kiosks offering snacks and refreshing coconut water. Many different bars, restaurants, and shops surround the community lagoon.

Photo Courtesy of Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo

Local Attractions

Local attractions also include the Historical Museum. Guided and self-guided tours of the facility are available. The array of rare exhibits enables visitors to learn more about the cultural changes that have occurred in Barretos and the region over the centuries.

Photo Courtesy of Festa do Peão de Barretos Rodeo

Cody Johnson

Legendary American country music singer-songwriter, Cody Johnson will perform in Barretos on Saturday, August 24th at 1:00 AM. Cody Johnson has defied all odds and has carved his own path in the music industry while still staying true to his roots. This is a show you don’t want to miss!

Esnar Ribeiro

A huge thank you to Esnar Ribeiro who has been an announcer in Barretos for many years and has a passion for agriculture and all things rodeo in Brazil. Esnar has been a huge supporter of Cowboy Lifestyle Network since the beginning.

Photo Courtesy of Esnar Ribeiro
Megan deFabry

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music. For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys. I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI. Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.

Recent Posts

Legends of the West 2025

Wickenburg, Arizona - Let the grit and glory of the West wash over you. Feel… Read More

4 days ago

Save the Date for the 77th Annual Redding Rodeo!

Since 1948, Redding, California, has proudly celebrated its cowboy heritage with one of the West… Read More

5 days ago

San Angelo Rodeo 2025

San Angelo, Texas - The anticipation is building, get ready to feel the dust kick… Read More

6 days ago

USTRC Cinch National Finals 2025

Fort Worth, Texas - We’re about a month away from the 36th annual Cinch National… Read More

1 week ago

The American Rodeo 2025

Arlington, Texas - 11 years in the making, the world’s richest rodeo weekend rides back… Read More

1 week ago

Earnhardt Queen Creek hosts spring festival

If you’re craving springtime fun, hop on over to Spring into QC, presented by Earnhardt… Read More

1 week ago