Vero Beach is experiencing a thrilling addition to its local lifestyle and entertainment scene. As explosive real estate development continues across the Treasure Coast, a slice of the traditional Western cowboy way of life has firmly planted its roots in Indian River County. The newly established Overpass Arena, located just west of Interstate 95, is transforming the local landscape by offering a genuine, high-energy rodeo experience right in the heart of Florida.
Founded by John and Rochelle “Shelley” Englehart, owners of J&R Land & Cattle, the 115-by-150-foot clay arena sits adjacent to their 90th Avenue ranch, situated perfectly midway between Oslo Road and State Road 60. The couple embarked on this ambitious project to preserve the agricultural and cowboy culture that is slowly fading from the area.
The Engleharts built Overpass Arena to preserve a Western, cowboy way of life that’s fast disappearing as explosive development replaces agriculture on the Treasure Coast.
This is far from a simple backyard setup. The arena features a complete venue atmosphere designed for both rodeo purists and local families looking for a unique weekend outing. Spectators can enjoy a three-level, 450-person VIP saloon that overlooks the grounds, VIP bleachers, general admission tables, and an array of approximately 15 food truck vendors. Due to massive local support—averaging 4,000 attendees over their previous two-day weekend events—the founders are already planning a major expansion. Starting in January, the venue will add two additional three-level VIP bars and a massive 30-acre parking lot to accommodate the surging crowds from all over Florida and beyond.
Overpass Arena hosts four major, sold-out rodeo weekends annually. These events feature high-level qualifiers with big payouts, drawing bucking bulls, broncs, barrel racers, and elite members of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) association, including top-tier athletes like Marco Rizzo. The annual seasonal lineup includes:
- I-95 Shootout in January
- Beast of the East in April
- Hurricane Alley Blowout in September
- Bull Bash in November
Beyond the professional competitions, which are officially sanctioned by the Elite Bullriders Association, the venue caters heavily to the local Vero Beach community. The Engleharts generously donate arena time for children’s activities, including mini-bull riding and mutton-busting, giving local youth a hands-on opportunity to step away from video screens and connect with the outdoors. The facility also functions as a performance training center for futurity calves, which tests the athletic potential of two-year-old bucking bulls before they are ready to carry riders.
The inception of Overpass Arena traces back to a PBR event in Montana, which sparked Rochelle’s deep fascination with bucking bulls and their genetics. This passion ultimately led to a partnership with Georgia-based stock contractor Randy Broome of Rafter B Bucking Bulls. Together, the trio co-owns the venue, supported by a robust network of over 40 local sponsors. Day-to-day operations are expertly managed by local residents Nick and Angela Novak, ensuring every event improves upon the guest experience.
For those looking to experience this unique Treasure Coast attraction, the next major event is the highly anticipated Hurricane Alley Blowout.
Event Details:
- Dates: September 4-5
- Location: 300 90th Ave., Vero Beach, FL (Just west of Interstate 95, off Exit 147, between Oslo Road and State Road 60)
- Friday Schedule: Gates open at 5:00 p.m., with the rodeo kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday Schedule: Gates open at 3:00 p.m. Attendees will enjoy live country music from Texas native Colby Lee Swift and special guest James Holler from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., immediately followed by the main rodeo event.
- Tickets: General admission is $35, and VIP access is available for $75.
Whether you are a lifelong rodeo fan, a real estate investor observing Indian River County’s expanding cultural landscape, or a Treasure Coast resident looking for top-tier family entertainment, Overpass Arena provides an unforgettable community experience that keeps the cowboy spirit alive in Vero Beach.
