Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The inaugural Autauga County Sheriff’s PCA Rodeo will be held February 16th-17th at the RH Kirkpatrick Agricultural Pavilion, in Autaugaville. Tickets are $15, and children five and under are free. Tickets will be available at the event with card and check only and pre-sale tickets are available at the Sheriff’s Office Monday through Friday 7:30 to 4 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m., Mutton Bustin at 6 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 7 p.m.
The prize money consists of $8,000 and the events for the rodeo include bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, break-away roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
The Autauga County Sheriff’s Rodeo is done by 3R Rodeo Company out of Jamison, Alabama, and in partnership with PCA, the Professional Cowboy Association.
“It’s a great family event. All the proceeds made from the rodeo will come back to the sheriff’s office, so we are able to purchase equipment that may not fall under the year’s budget,” Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell said.
During the opening of the rodeo and throughout, the Autauga County deputies will be recognized for the diligent work in keeping Autauga County safe.
“The reason I started this event was not only fun for the sheriff’s office, but for the public and we would be able to purchase specialized training equipment or things that were not in the original budget for the year, like flashlights. But this is mainly just a fun way to give back to the community,” Harrell said.
Harrell also confirmed that when Herbie Johnson was sheriff, he also held rodeos around the same time, and Harrel wanted to pay tribute and continue that tradition. Harrell also stated he has been going to rodeos all his life and is extremely excited for not only the fundraising opportunity but to give back to the community as well.
“I want to thank the different businesses around Autauga County that have sponsored this event. They’ve really come forward and helped out. Being able to interact with and let the community see a different side of the deputies is going to be great. It’s going to be a night for them to be recognized for what they do and what they do for the community,” Harrell said.
