By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
The Autauga County Sheriff’s office is pre-selling Rodeo tickets for the 2nd Annual Rodeo coming Feb. 28 and March 1 to the Kirkpatrick Agricultural Pavilion. Last year’s event sold out on the second night, and no one wants to be turned away due to lack of room in the arena.
“This Ain’t Our First Rodeo” is this year’s slogan, and rings true, after a very successful inaugural event last year. Tickets are available at the sheriff’s office, cash only, for $15. Law enforcement and military is just $10. The night of the event, tickets are $20, so there are savings to be had, according to Sheriff Mark Harrell. Kids 5 and under are FREE. There will be standard popular events, as well as some new events.
“This year we will have a large video board for the rodeo, where events will be broadcast on a big screen. This allows for a closer look at events taking place, rather than just from the stands,” Harrell said.
Also new is the Bounty Bull event, with a PBR sanctioned bull. Each night it will be a luck of the draw as to which cowboy rides the bull. “The one that draws this bull can win an extra pot of money, sponsored by Affordable Bail Bonds. If they ride that bull for a complete eight seconds they get an extra $500.”
A Fan Zone will greet everyone at the entrance to the arena, sponsored by Coca-Cola.
There will be a Rodeo Kid Zone, Harrell said. “There will be an area just for the kids, like a bouncy bull they can get in and act like a bull rider. There will be a roping station, as well as three barrels and a stick horse so they can race. There will also be a bull’s head for them to try out roping.”
Also in the area there will be face painting and snack vendors.
“Mainly it is just for the kids to blow off some energy,” Harrell said with a laugh. “The parents can enjoy the rodeo, as well as the kids.”
There are a lot more vendors this year as well, that will be rodeo related.
“We are changing it up a lot this year, adding more to it,” Harrell said.
The talented singer Jessie Lynn will be singing as people come into the rodeo arena, with a mini-concert prior the rodeo beginning.
“It was great last year, with great success. This year we just are adding more. The Lions Club will be selling hamburgers and hotdogs with affordable prices.”
Harrell said the overwhelming support this year has been amazing, with local businesses eager to help sponsor the rodeo.
Friday afternoon, second graders in Autauga County will be taken to the arena for a mock rodeo. This includes Field of Dreams special needs kids.
“This is my favorite. It is just an awesome thing to allow those kids to see the rodeo life, cows and horses…things that they don’t get to experience living in town.”
The sponsor for the mock rodeo is Superior Facility Services, which is also the presenting sponsor for both nights.
“I cannot say enough about the local businesses who have stepped up to be sponsors,” Harrell said. “Some of them are sponsoring multiple events. We are so far ahead from last year, and we hope to get more sponsorships. There is still time, and we will find a place that benefits them for exposure.”
“Cavender’s is also helping out, so if the public sees deputies in cowboy hats and black jeans, the business came forward to help,” he said. “There is so much we have been able to do this year thanks to the sponsorships. I am just overwhelmed by it.”
He has high hopes for a huge crowd. It is important to note that last year’s event, some had to be turned away on the second night due to space limitations.
“My suggestions is buy tickets from our office ahead of time, or show up really early the night of the rodeo.”
Quality belt buckles are also on sale this year at the rodeo, commemorating this year’s event.
This will be a family-friendly event. The Stock Contractor is 3R Rodeo Company.
Remember, everything at the event will be CASH ONLY.
Aside from the presenting sponsor, others include:
Platinum- James Hardie
Gold- Guardian Credit Union
Bounty Bull- Affordable Bail Bonds
Mutton Bustin Sponsor- Kountry Air RV Park
Rodeo Fan Zone- Coca Cola
***And Many More
All proceeds help The Autauga County Sheriff’s Office purchase equipment and plan other community events.
