Published: March 04, 2008 09:19 pm            

Rodeo this weekend

By Noah Chandler

nchandler@cullmantimes.com

The West Point High School Band Boosters will host their 25th annual IPRA World Championship Rodeo this Friday and Saturday.

Band booster and rodeo chairperson Julie Johnson said the rodeo is the boosters’ largest fundraiser, which raised $10,000 after last year’s rodeo. She said all the proceeds go to the booster club to help buy new uniforms, musical instruments and other band related items.

“Over the past two years we’ve taken the money and put into an account for new uniforms,” Johnson said. “The uniforms will cost between $22,000 and $25,000. But we hope with the success of this rodeo, we will be able to purchase the uniforms this year.”

Johnson said the event will be good clean fun for the whole family.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun. We will have Hank The Cajun Kid as our rodeo clown,” Johnson said. “It’s a really good family atmosphere. You will see kids dressed up with cowboy boots, belt buckles and cowboy hats. It’s just neat to see how excited the kids get.”

The rodeo will be March 7-8 at the Cullman Agricultural Trade Center. The rodeo will begin each night with Hay Dig for children 6 and under at 7:15 p.m., and the rodeo will begin at 8 p.m.

“Each night we will drag a tarp out to the center of the arena and hide toys in a pile of hay,” Johnson said. “Kids will get out there and have their moment in the spotlight.”

One addition not seen at the last few Cullman rodeos will be the addition of a mechanical bull. Johnson said the cost was still being discussed, but it will be posted the night of the event. She said the event tries to get everyone involved.

“The bull will be there for anyone willing to take it on,” Johnson said. “It can be turned down for kids, or can be turned up for the adventurous riders.

Advanced tickets can be purchased at Jack’s Western Wear, Julia’s Pool, Harry Bivins Used Cars, Hyatt’s Market & Pharmacy and West Point High School for $8 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets purchased at the door will cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children.

Spectators will be treated to several types of events including bareback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding.

For more information contact Johnson at 256-339-3446, or the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center at 256-739-4959.

        

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