Gladewater — There's a few things you can count on at any rodeo: cowboys, bulls and clowns.
All that and more will be featured at the Gladewater Round-Up Rodeo, now in its 81st year.
"That's the one thing about rodeo, it is a family sport, it doesn't matter if you're six or 96, there is something for everybody at the rodeo," John Harrison, rodeo clown barrel man, said.
Harrison is the clown you'll see front and center at this year's Gladewater Rodeo, distracting the bulls so the rider can make his escape.
"I've been clowning for 15 years or so," he said.
He's often put in harms way, but he's not alone in that. He'll work with bull fighters in the arena, they'll help him make his getaway as the bull comes his direction.
"When you get down there and get in the barrel and you start seeing the bulls you start turning to these guys," he says, pointing at bull fighters, Wacey Munsell and Juddsen Napier.
"I'm at their mercy, so when you duck down in that barrel it's an island of safety for the cowboy," Harrison said. "The barrel serves a true purpose [and] we take pride in trying to take the barrel to the guy, help out a bull rider."
All three men will be featured in the rodeo which runs through June 9.