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Celebrating 38th Years of BPIR

BPIR Traveling Museum

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) and Toyota announced the Toyota BPIR “Greatest Show on Dirt” Traveling Museum in May, which will tour the country telling the stories of Black Cowboys and Cowgirls who have traveled the U.S. with the world’s leading All Black Touring Rodeo.

The Museum – housed within a 48-foot trailer wrapped with a striking landscape of Black rodeo cowboys – will feature:

  • Chronological “walk through time” highlights of the 38 years of Bill Pickett Invitational
  • BPIR memorabilia including original items from its founder, cowboys, and cowgirls including championship saddles and buckles, rings, watches, jackets, and promotional items (BPIR tickets, programs, instamatic camera, hot sauce, popcorn, ale, T Shirts and many other items)
  • Historical information, retro photos, and video features on Bill Pickett along with other Black Pioneers in the West (e.g., Nat Love, Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves).
  • The many faces of BPIR over the years including Black cowboys/cowgirls, entertainers, staff, clowns, and celebrities.

We are actively seeking support to secure funding to continue the BPIR traveling museum and to develop a permanent location to preserve the history of the only national touring African America rodeo in the world by the end of 2023.

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