Slam Fest | West Point's Rodeo
Amber Manker
Read Time : 5 Minutes or Fewer
When I first drove down Sam and Carrie White’s driveway, it was clear to me that rodeo is not just something their family does, it’s a part of who they are. It’s close to home, as you might say. You can see the horse barn and arena from Sam’s backyard. And it’s at his home that Sam decided to host the first annual Slam Fest Bulldogging rodeo back in October of 2009. Seventeen years later, in the heart of West Point, Mississippi it’s the largest event of its kind east of the Mississippi River.
Bulldogging (steer wrestling) is a unique and physically demanding event. It’s considered by many as one of the fastest and hardest events in all of rodeo. The event is straight forward. A mounted cowboy chases a 400 to 600 pound steer with his partner, the “Hazer,” and then throws himself off his horse on to the running steer. The cowboy will then grab the steer by its horns and throw it to the ground. The clock stops when the steer has been wrestled to the ground with all four legs pointed in the same direction.
Sam and Carrie have been married 35 years and their two sons, Taylor and Palmer, play an important role in putting on Slam Fest. No matter who you talk to, it’s obvious that it’s the people and community that make the rodeo what it is today. When I asked his favorite aspect of the rodeo was, Sam’s answer was, immediately, “having all my family there.”
My first Slam Fest was in 2022. As is tradition, church starts at 10:30 sharp so I got there a little early. Each year, Sam gives a short sermon and offers a prayer. Some folks listen from the bleachers while others, like one of his granddaughters, watched on horseback.
When the service ends, everyone pitches in to help move the bleachers to the arena. “We try to make it so you’re right in the middle of the action” says Sam. Bleachers, chairs, blankets and tents line the fence between the dirt of the arena and the eager crowd. Behind them, the playground fills with children of all ages in cowboy hats and boots, and the concession stand sells homemade pork rinds and lemonade (both are an absolute can’t-miss.)
It’s an incredible atmosphere. The smell of dirt, the concession stand, and cigarette smoke hangs in the air. Leather creaks, gates slam, the contestants whistle and shout, hooves beat the dirt, the PA system crackles, and the crowd cheers loudly as cowboys from all over the US and Canada compete for the Calcutta and other prizes; a belt buckle to the 19 and under winner and a Mossy Oak camo saddle for the 19+ winner. Slam Fest is special. It’s a small-town, family run event with international draw. Between the buzz of friends saying “good to see you!”, the classic country music radio playing, the announcer proudly reporting the times and scores of contestants, and the noise of horses and steers working, there is no shortage of action, even after the sun sets.
The entire community of West Point looks forward to Slam Fest every October. That was exactly Sam’s intent when he started this event back in 2009. The White family has never met a stranger and they make that very obvious with the way they host in their back yard. Slam Fest feels like a get together for old family friends, with a little competition. If you ever find yourself around West Point, MS in October, look to see when Slam Fest is. They’d be happy to have you.