Northeast Georgia residents are invited to sit back, relax and enjoy the rodeo.

The 27th annual Mountain Top Rodeo will be Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, at R-Ranch in the Mountains, 65 R Ranch Road in Dahlonega.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday with a midway, or two hours of kids activities, apparel and food vendors. The rodeo begins at 8 p.m. and continues the same time Saturday with barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and more.

“This is a great, family-friendly, fun-filled time,” said Holly Sell with the rodeo. “We don’t sell alcohol at the event, so it really is just pure family entertainment.

“Every year we get so many people (who) repeat and (who) are new from the area, so everyone just has a great time.”

The theme this year is “sit back, relax and enjoy the show.”

The midway Friday and Saturday includes varied, classic foods provided by vendors such as barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs and hand-dipped corn dogs. Fried pickles, boiled peanuts, funnel cakes, shaved ice, iced tea and lemonade are also on the menu.

Guests may not bring outside food or drinks onto the property.

The event is a highlight on the rodeo circuit because of the action and scenery at R-Ranch, according to the rodeo.

Discounted advance tickets can be purchased at the ranch office or at the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center.

The entry fee is $14 for adults and $6 for children ages 4-12. Parking is $5 and cash only at the gate. But ATMs will be available at the arena for ticket costs.

Those wishing to participate as a contestant in Mountain Top Rodeo may call 4L & Diamond S Rodeo at 706-859-1156. The contestant entry will be to the left side of the office at the rodeo. Valid Coggins will be required to bring a horse onto R-Ranch property. 

For more information, visit www.mountaintoprodeo.com.