STARKVILLE, Miss.—Citing public health and safety concerns, the Starkville Rotary Club announced that the club will reschedule the annual Rotary Classic Rodeo later in 2021 than the previously announced dates of Feb. 12-13 at the Mississippi Horse Park.

The Mississippi Horse Park is affiliated with MSU, the City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

“The Rotary Classic Rodeo has for a number of years been our primary annual fundraising activity and this is not a decision we made lightly,” said Club President Grant Arinder. “The proceeds of the rodeo fund our many philanthropies in this community, and it is also a family-oriented event that children enjoy.”

Arinder said that club members had concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and believed that it is in the overall community’s best interests to reschedule the event at a time when the pandemic numbers are lower and there are fewer overt risks.

“Our sponsors and the public have embraced this event for many years, and we look forward to resuming our work in raising money to support local youth development, educational activities, Scouting, and other worthy causes,” said Arinder. “But like everyone else, we will look to public health officials and elected officials for guidance on when holding the rodeo is a safe proposition.”

Arinder expressed the club’s appreciation to the Mississippi Horse Park staff for their flexibility in working with the club. “Bricklee Miller and her staff are always great partners in this event, and we appreciate having this marvelous venue,” Arinder said. Learn more about the Starkville Rotary Classic Rodeo at www.rodeo.StarkvilleRotary.org.

The Starkville Rotary Club, founded in 1924, consists of more than 170 community leaders representing Starkville’s businesses, educational institutions, and governmental bodies. The club is the second largest in Rotary District 6820, which encompasses 48 clubs in central Mississippi. Learn more at www.StarkvilleRotary.org.

Beginning in January, the club meets on Mondays at noon in Starkville’s Hilton Garden Inn.

Rotary International is a worldwide service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization open to all. There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.