Blacksburg residents will pull their dancing shoes out of the closet one more time as the summer winds down, grooving with purpose in anticipation of one of the county’s more noteworthy regular events.

Held in conjunction with the annual Ed Brown Rodeo in the Iron City, the municipality is again hosting a street dance. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5, at the stage across from the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department on Cherokee Street from 8 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

There is no charge for admission.

This year will be the 42nd year in which Ed Brown has held the rodeo, traditionally taking place the first weekend of August. Synonymous with the rodeo competition is the street dance, which Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue said is looked forward to by town residents as well as those visiting only for a couple of days.

“For years people have been enjoying the street dance leading up to the rodeo,” Hogue said. “There were a couple of years in which we were not able to put it on, but we’re glad this year to do so. I’m definitely looking forward to it. It’s definitely an important tradition for our town very much like the rodeo.”

The Iron City Band will provide the tunes for the event, which Hogue said will range from old time rock ‘n’ roll along with a sprinkling of shag and country music. Also expected to be among the selections are a few songs from the 1940s.

“The hope is to provide those in attendance a trip down memory lane,” Hogue said. “Hopefully people will bring their dancing shoes, because we’re in for quite a good time.”

According to Hogue, the street dance is the perfect prelude to the championship rodeo competition, which features an array of events ranging from bareback, saddle bronco and bull riding to calf roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing. Providing an outlet for clean, family entertainment in addition to drawing thousands of visitors to Blacksburg for the event, the mayor said he and the town will forever be grateful to Brown and his family.

“You can see it every year and despite it being virtually the same events there will always be something new that you haven’t seen before,” Hogue said. “Sticking to that formula for the past more than 40 years has helped the rodeo thrive and also the Town of Blacksburg, helping our businesses and bringing traffic to town.”

The Ed Brown Rodeo will take place Aug. 6-7 at 633 S. Charleston Street in Blacksburg. Gates will open at 5 p.m. both nights, with events beginning at 8 p.m.

Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children.