The countdown is on for the 51st annual Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo.

Gates will open at 3 p.m. on Fri., April 1, and entertainment will begin at 4 p.m.

Opp Mayor H.D. Edgar said what really makes the rodeo is the “good entertainment.”

“But really we have two different crowds,” he said. “We have the day crowd and the night crowd.”

Opening ceremonies will be at 6 p.m Friday.

The big acts will begin at 6:15 p.m. with Daphne native Aaron Parker, who describes his music as “real.”

Opp native Martin McDaniel will take the stage next. McDaniel has a variety of influences including Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers and Stevie Wonder.

Headlining Friday night’s concerts is country rapper Colt Ford, whose show will begin at 8 p.m.

Ford is known for songs such as “No Trash in My Trailer,” “Ride Through the Country” and “Huntin’ the World.”

Saturday’s entertainment includes Reluctant Saints, Tambry Nix, Greg Bates and an end-of-the-night concert by Rodney Atkins.

Atkins is famous for songs such as “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Farmer’s Daughter” and “Watching You.”

For the day crowd, there are snake shows, a 5K walk/run on Saturday morning, snake races, a greasy pole climb and a buck-dancing contest.

Don’t forget the arts and crafts vendors set up around the track at Channel-Lee Stadium.

Tickets are still on sale online and at Opp City Hall.

Cost is $25 for a two-day pass, which includes all concerts or $15 for Friday night and $10 for Saturday, if admitted before 3 p.m. and $15 after.

“That way those who only want to come to the day’s events can still pay last year’s price,” Edgar said.

A schedule of events follows:

Fri., April 1:
• 3 p.m. – Gates open
• 4 p.m. – Local entertainment
• 4:30 p.m. – Snake show
• 5:30 p.m. – Local entertainment
• 6 p.m. – Opening ceremony
• 6:15 p.m. – Aaron Parker
• 6:45 p.m. – Martin McDaniel
• 8 p.m. – Colt Ford

Sat., April 2:
• 8 a.m. – Gates open
• 9 a.m. – 5k run/walk
• 9:30 a.m. – Local entertainment
• 10 a.m. – Snake race (1st Heat) & snake show
• 11 a.m. – Karaoke winners entertain
• 11:30 a.m. – Introduction of special guests
• Noon – Introduction of rodeo queens
• 1 p.m. – Snake race (2nd Heat) & snake show
• 2 p.m. – Local entertainment
• 2:30 p.m. – Snake race (3rd Heat) & snake show
• 2:45 p.m. – Snake race championship & snake show
• 3 p.m. – Greasy pole climb
• 4 p.m. – Buck dancing contest
• 5 p.m. – Reluctant Saints
• 6 p.m. – Tambry Nix
• 6:45 p.m. – Greg Bates
• 8 p.m. – Rodney Atkins