4th of July at the A.V. Fair & Event Center

Showdown Rodeo, Inc., Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center and City of Lancaster will host the annual Professional Bull Riders Touring Pro Division and Fireworks Extravaganza on Thursday, July 4th at the A.V. Fair & Event Center.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with food, shopping, music, line-dancing and lessons. The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) competition begins at 7 p.m. Opening this year’s event will be a patriotic air show by the iconic Condor Flight Squadron, a unique team of pilots that fly North American AT-6ISNJ trainers in formation. These aircraft are what all U.S. airman flew before graduating to fighters, bombers and transports in World War II. The Condor Squadron organization’s mission is to preserve a piece of aviation history that played an important part in securing the freedom Americans cherish today.

The main event, PBR, is one of the most exciting sports of all time as professional bull riders test their skills riding some of the biggest and toughest bulls, weighing in at over 1,500 pounds. The competition will be fierce with athletes competing for a $20,000 cash purse.

The voice of The Showdown, Announcer Don Jesser will provide play by play announcing, sharing his bull riding knowledge and wicked sense of humor. Co-announcing with Jesser will be 5-time World Champion Bull Fighter and 2010 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee, Rob Smets, also known as, “The Kamikaze Kid”.

Immediately following the Professional Bull Riders Touring Pro Division will be the spectacular Fireworks Extravaganza, sponsored by The City of Lancaster, IBEW Local 11 / NECA and S•Power. The fireworks display, celebrating America’s birthday will thrill both young and old alike. Admission to the fireworks show is free with seating provided on the Fairground’s grassy areas. Reserved grandstand seating for the Fireworks Extravaganza requires a PBR ticket.

Rounding out the evening will be the Van Dam Barn Dance, hosted at the Cantina stage with live country and rock ’n roll music by Jake Nelson and the Tone Wranglers.

PBR Tickets are on sale now at http://www.avfair.com. Tickets start at just $15. All purchased PBR tickets include reserved seating to the fireworks show. Parking is just $7 per car. Chairs and blankets for non - grandstand fireworks viewing areas are encouraged. Outside Alcohol, BBQs and pets are prohibited.

For more Professional Bull Riders information, go to http://www.showdownrodeo.com. For 4th of July fireworks information, go to http://www.cityoflancasterca.org/july4.