Riding, romping and roping are ways of the Wild West. But this weekend those desperado tendencies will be the ways of Western.

The Lone Star Rodeo stampedes into the Agricultural Exposition Center with four shows.

“Everybody deep down always wanted to be a cowboy or cowgirl, and for two hours they can put themselves in that spot,” said Preston Fowlkes, producer of the Lone Star Rodeo.

The first show begins at 8 p.m. Friday, followed by shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. The final roundup starts at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The rodeo features more than 374 performers riding and wrestling it out in six events, Fowlkes said. Some events include bareback bronc riding, calf roping and bull riding.

Cowboys and cowgirls will be competing for more than $35,000, according to the company Web site.

Buckaroos and buckerettes can participate, too, Fowlkes said. Children 10 and younger can partake in the best-dressed cowgirl and cowboy contest or the new Gold Rush event.

The Gold Rush takes place before the rodeo starts and allows children to scurry through hay to find prizes, Fowlkes said.

Cowgirl Vanessa Madison, who is competing this weekend, said people get roped into the rodeo because of the unpredictability.

“It’s just very entertaining, because in other sports the sport is man versus man, and in rodeo it’s man and the animal,” Madison said. “And the animals are different every day, and the horses may cause you to do something to not win.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Ag Expo Center, Leachman Truck Corral, Thompson’s Trophy Center and various South Central Bank locations. Reserved seats are $17, general admission $13 and children 3 years and younger are free.

Reach Andrew McNamara at features@wkuherald.com.