My name is Tripp and I want to be a cowboy.

I went to see the cowboys ride the bulls. My Mish put me on his shoulders and we watched the cowboys fall off the bulls. The bulls were not nice to the cowboys. I counted to eight but the cowboys fell off mostly by three.

My Mish bought me and hisself a cowboy hat. I really wanted a rope like the real cowboys, but did not get my rope. I really, really wanted a rope.

The next day my Papa made me a rope. I am a real cowboy now with my hat and rope. My Gran and Papa are taking me to the Cowboy Day. It is gonna be a day of cowboy fun and I will wear my hat and carry my rope.

My Gran told me that there will be blacksmiths making horseshoes and puttin them on horses. I did not know that horses wore shoes.

There will be dogs chasing goats. I also am going to get my picture took on a horse. A real cowboy will teach me how to use my rope to throw at a bull. My Papa said it will not be a real bull but a play bull.

There is going to be a Chili Cook-Off contest for the bestest chili and then we get to eat it.

I am trying to get Papa to take me and my pony and ride in the Cowboy Parade. Gran told me that anyone can ride in the parade as long as they ride with an animal. No motors allowed in the Cowboy Parade. The parade is going to be bigger than ever.

But the mostest fun is going to be the Wild West Shootout. The good guys and the bad guys are going to fight. I hope the good guys win.

I gonna wear my hat and carry my rope on Cowboy Day. Come dressed up as a cowboy or cowgirl and have fun with me, too.

Cowboy Day is Feb. 20 in Columbiana. Demonstrations begin at 10 a.m. on the Summer Classics land. The Cowboy Parade begins at 1 p.m. down Main Street; and the Wild West Shootout starts at 3 p.m. near the Old Courthouse.

Phoebe Robinson can be reached by e–mail at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net