BY SARAH STEPHEN
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell presents a buckle to the Mutton Bustin’ winner, Carter Batts, from the Friday night competition. With him are family and rodeo queens to help him celebrate.
Tonight is the last night of the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office PCA Rodeo in Autaugaville. Admission into the R.H. Kirkpatrick Agriculture Arena is $15 (cash or check only) and free for kids five and under.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Kids can participate in Mutton Bustin’ at 6 p.m. and the full rodeo will kick off again at 7 p.m.
Friday night a crowd packed into the arena, bringing big smiles to everyone who planned this great event, including Sheriff Mark Harrell.
“I am so happy to see this crowd,” he said. “I hope we see this kind of response for Saturday.”
Sheriff Harrell said it was important to him and his department to renew the rodeo, as many years ago, former Sheriff Herbie Johnson had begun the tradition. Over the years, the rodeo was allowed to lapse, but Harrell said he knew there would be a big interest in Autauga County. Friday proved him right, and he said he is very thankful for the support.
He gave a lot of credit to 3RRoden company. Learn more about them at www.3rrodeo.com.
“I was so pleased with their expertise on all of this, and they put on a great show,” Harrell said.
“This was so important to all of us, to have something the community could enjoy. This is a great event for families and kids, and just something wholesome for the kids,” the sheriff said.
The crowd roared from start to finish Friday, including a moving opening event paying tribute to the sheriff and staff with the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office. Musician Jessie Lynn gave a brilliant performance, on horseback, singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
The competitors for the rodeo rode horses into the stadium to help welcome the crowd.
Prior to the rodeo’s start, kids participated in the Mutton Bustin’ competition, with Carter Batts taking home first prize. He received a Buckle as his prize designed by Ray Grafix.
And then the rodeo began, with bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, break-away roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Mixed in were other hilarious events, including the kids’ calf scramble and even an adult calf scramble, that featured a young but sizeable bull. Throughout it all were the hilarious rodeo clowns keeping the crowd entertained. But more importantly, the help keep the contestants in all events safe.
Check out the photo gallery from last night below. The fun continues tonight, so get there early for a great seat. Concessions are available.
