LOVINGTON, N.M. – Rodeo is unique. It’s competition, but it’s also entertainment.

The Lea County Fair Board has recognized that, which is why there will be a couple of true entertainers for this year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6-Saturday, Aug. 9; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Ten-time PRCA Clown of the Year Justin Rumford will provide the comedy, while Brian Patton, “The Misfit Cowboy,” will showcase Western flair during each of the five days of ProRodeo action at Jake McClure Arena inside the Lea County Fairgrounds.

“We just like to break (the action) up a little bit and bring in something different,” said Kyle Johnston, a fair board member and chairman of the rodeo committee. “It’s been that way for us for a long time, and I think it’s a good fit for our rodeo.”

Other sports have breaks in the action. There are halftime shows, and cheerleaders perform during time-outs. Baseball stadium’s feature hotdog and/or condiment races. Rodeo has funnymen, trick riders, fancy ropers and Patton, who does something altogether different.

“My main act is an 1,800-pound American red brahma bull that’s saddle broken,” said Patten, of Epps, Louisiana, in the state’s northeastern corner. “He’s trick-trained, so he kneels, bows, lays down and gets on a pedestal. We have a lot of pyro in my act and lots of tricks. We have big props and fire on top of a red brahma bull.”

The description is spot-on, but Patton’s performance is best seen live. It’s where spectacular meets the New Mexico night, and the animal’s stoic nature when working with the props helps make it stand out. There is an energy to Patton’s act that is undeniable and quite fitting to a fair and rodeo of this magnitude.

That’s something Patton understands well. He’s been around the sport in some form or fashion all his life. He’s made a progression over the years.

“My dad was a rodeo contestant, so I’ve always been around it a little bit,” Patton said. “I bought a Texas longhorn steer and used it for picture-taking. I used to go to rodeos; people would sit on him, and I’d take their picture. One thing led to another, and I ended up buying another Texas longhorn steer that was really impressive to look at.

“I started a rodeo act with him, and it’s been all down hill from that point.”

Raised on a farm not far from where he lives now, Patton knows the importance of hard work. The best part of his job, though, is being able to travel the country with his family.

“Two of my kids are a big part of my dress act,” he said. “That’s one of the things I love about rodeo; I get to travel with my family all over the country. We get to experience a lot of things, and we just come from a little quiet spot in northeast Louisiana.”

Their country nature will fit into Lovington’s rodeo, where know what it means to work with animals, and they’ll love the showmanship involved with Patton, two kids and a bull trained to perform.

“I’ve watched some of his stuff, so I think it will work for us,” Johnston said. “I think it’s important that we change things up from time to time, and I think it’s going to be good to watch.”