GREEN COVE SPRINGS – When Marshall Green enters the Cattleman’s Arena on Friday night, he will be one of the most introverted people among the thousands of fans, always escaping attention.

But once he changes into his blue and yellow costume and transforms his face into a jovial jester who’s supposed to interject humor during breaks between battles of men and thousand-pound beasts, like Superman, Green changes his personality.

“I’m the entertainment,” he said. “I’m the funny man. I’m the guy telling the jokes and keeping the rodeo rolling.”

Green will take center arena this Friday and Saturday during the Clay County Pro Rodeo at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Nearly 200 of the nation’s top rodeo stars will compete at the International Pro Rodeo Association event with JC Kitaif Pro Rodeos. Results will count toward The International Finals Rodeo World Championship in January in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The action starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Clay Today, DARCARS Orange Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Winn-Dixie and VyStar Credit Union present the rodeo, and portions of the proceeds will benefit Clay County 4-H.

Green will be one of the highlights of this weekend’s rodeo. And like most comedic geniuses, he’s very low-keyed until it’s time to be on stage.

“I’m kind of an introvert. It’s not until I put the clown paint on my face that my attitude really changes,” Green said. “I make friends quickly, but you won’t see me at the party. I won’t be the life of the party until I put that face paint on. Then I go into character.”

Green said it’s important for fans to be entertained from the moment they walk through the gates until the last cloud of dust settles.

For the past six years, Green has been rodeoing crowds of children who best know Pee Wee Herman-like humor and adults who better identify with Ron White's comedy without crossing the line and stepping on toes. He embraces the delicate balance.

“After the rodeo, I’m walking around, shaking hands with people, taking pictures of kids, and, you know, thanking people for coming to the rodeo, and it never fails, you always see that, that one or two, those one or two families, the guy, you know, he’s got the Walmart tire shirt on from where he’s been at work all day, and got his name on his shirt, and his wife is there with him, and they’ve got two, three, maybe four kids,” Green said. “What are the ticket costs to get into the rodeo? You know they’re 15, 20 bucks.

"And each of those kids had a little light-up toy they had to have. He had just gotten off work and brought his family to the rodeo. Little kids needed a hot dog and a Coke, and he probably spent $15 or $20 each to eat that night. I don’t know what he makes an hour, but he probably spent close, if not more, than his weekly paycheck to bring his wife and those three kids to the rodeo, I’m going to give him his money’s worth.

"Every time I walk out, I’m going to try my best to give that man his money’s worth. I don’t care if he’s the only one in the stands or if there are 5,000 just like him; I will give him that same show every time. I will do my best to make sure that happens because I know he just spent probably his whole paycheck to bring his kids to see something I get to enjoy every week, something that is really important to me, that they get to experience a Western way of life for just even if it’s a couple of hours.

"I want each of them to go home feeling like a cowboy, and they can do this. And I want them to enjoy it, and that for a little while, they can forget about any problem. I want them to forget about the overdue light bills. I want them to forget the overdue truck payments. I want them to forget about the dentist appointment. I just want them to enjoy their time.”

Fans can also see a lot of  other rodeo stars. Cowboys and Cowgirls will compete in eight categories – Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Cowgirl Breakaway Roping, Cowgirl Barrel Racing, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Heeler Team Roping and Header Team Toping.

Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children and $20 on the day of the show, and they are available at rodeometro.ticketleap.com.