The Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo

03/19/2026

We are excited to announce we are collaborating with Visit Shawnee to enhance our Rodeo Fan experience. Feel free to contact their office at 405-275-9780 for any information about visiting the Shawnee area or follow the link
https://www.visitshawnee.com/

Also, our host hotels are SOLD OUT. There are still hotel rooms available in Shawnee, but they will go fast as there are other events in the area the same weekend. We encourage you to book your rooms asap.

We have RV sites available at the Shawnee Expo Center as well. Please call 405-275-7020 for reservations or information.

Stay tuned for more information about the Rodeo, Parade, and Jackpots.

02/27/2026

Did you know The Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo was featured on a Simpsons episode? Keith Ryan Cartwright visited to take pictures and record stories for the book he co-authored, Black Cowboys of Rodeo. One of his friends was a writer for the Simpsons, and after reading the book, Carl Carlson Rides Again debuted. The book is a great read, and the episode is one of our favorites to watch.

Thank you for the shout out! Our family is proud to keep this part of history alive and relevant. See y'all in August!

02/13/2026

It may be Friday the 13th, but we feel nothing but love! We are happy to share we have two amazing host hotels that are ready to welcome our rodeo fans and family.

Many thanks to the Grand Casino Hotel Resort and FireLake Casino Hotel for the great Rodeo fan rates! The blocks of rooms at the hotels will run $110 a night at both hotels. You can ask for the "Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo" block.

For rooms at the Grand, you can book online with the code RLIN26 to get the discount or call 405-964-7777.
You can start booking immediately.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day and stay tuned for more details to come soon!

01/29/2026

Around 1990, the Okmulgee County Round Up Club wanted to dissolve, but Mr. Roy LeBlanc decided Black Rodeo was too important to the history of the Black Cowboy. He moved the rodeo to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation with the help of his friend and fellow cowboy, Bob Arrington. Muscogee Nation named the arena after him some years later.

In 2009, we changed the name of the rodeo to the Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo in honor of the man who helped keep this living history alive. This was our home for 30 years until 2025, the year the rodeo almost didn't happen.

Kenneth LeBlanc is currently working out the final details but we are happy to announce we are moving to The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, OK. We will see y'all there on August 7th and 8th, 2026.

Stay tuned as we release more information and let y'all know what to expect when we visit Shawnee!

01/19/2026

This is Kenneth LeBlanc, producer of the Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo. As we release history and information about our rodeo, we have seen a lot of comments and posts from other groups. We are not involved with any other organization, and no one else speaks for us. Our family hosts one rodeo every year on the second week in August. You may see me at other rodeos and events during the year, but this is our only event and our only page. We will keep posting our history and yes, we will be moving, so stay tuned.

01/16/2026

After the first two rodeos, the Okmulgee County Round Up Club bought 40 acres on the south side of Okmulgee. This was the home of the rodeo from 1958-1990. It was a new location but proof that the spirit of the Okmulgee All Colored Championship Rodeo lived in the hearts and stories of the Cowboys, Cowgirls, and all the Rodeo Fans.

01/02/2026

This is the site of the arena where the very first Okmulgee All Colored Rodeo was held 71 years ago. It used to be called the Okmulgee Round Up Club Arena. The Okmulgee Round Up Club was not open to People of Color, so the Okmulgee County Round Up Club was born.
This was our home for the first two years. We may have changed locations in the past, but our legacy of Black Rodeo is timeless. Stay tuned for more history as we finalize our dates and plans for August 2026!

01/01/2026

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our family to yours🎄

12/16/2025

Holiday activities have not slowed us down from planning the 71st annual Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo. Stay tuned, dates and location will be announced once we ring in the new year. See y'all in 2026!