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Cowboy up! Time to rodeo!ATHENS, May 02, 2010 (The Decatur Daily - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Rodeo lovers should get ready to stomp their boots, wave their cowboy hats in the air and yell "Yee-haw." Sheriff Mike Blakely said a new act galloping into the arena for the 28th annual Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo is a trick rider who can do the Chinese splits and land on two moving horses. "She stands on two galloping horses, jumps in the air to do the splits and then lands in the splits position with one leg on each horse," Blakely said. The trick rider, also known as a Roman rider, is 22-year-old Dusti Crain McCall of Tennessee, who performs at the Dixie Stampede. She also rides the horses through rings of fire and does somersaults off their backs. Adrenaline junkies also will have the traditional excitement of bull riding, bareback bronc riding, chuck wagon races and other competitions. Lonestar Rodeo is holding the event, and this year's theme is Spirit of the West. "This is the largest outdoor rodeo east of the Mississippi, and we have top stock contractors and draw top names from the rodeo circuit," Blakely said. Rodeo Month The rodeo, which will be May 14 and 15, has become so kick-up-your-booted-heels popular Blakely has added other events and turned May into Rodeo Month. Cowboys and cowgirls can enjoy a parade, street dance and the Exceptional Rodeo for special needs adults and children. There is a rodeo queen competition, and in the upper division, those contestants must showcase their horse-riding skills. The grand marshal for the parade is Dakota Missildine of Grady, who is the reigning Miss Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo and Miss Rodeo USA. Missildine and McCall will assist at the Exceptional Rodeo, where special needs adults and children experience their own version of the Wild West. Volunteers take them on horseback rides, teach them to rope and give hay rides. "When we started this to raise money to buy cars and pay for training, I knew Athens was a big rodeo town," Blakely said. "It has grown more than I anticipated. We have so much support from the community, businesses and my employees." The Sheriff's Department has paved the road entrance to the arena on Alabama 99 and added a second concession stand, which makes attending the rodeo more convenient for cowpokes and city slickers who want to be cowpokes for a night. "We own the facility, so we can use some of the proceeds to enhance it for us and those in the community who use it," Blakely said. Thousands drawn The rodeo draws 4,500 to 5,000 spectators each night and has raised enough money to buy 33 patrol cars during the past 27 years. "I remember as a kid when the veterans held the rodeos how I looked forward to going," the sheriff said. "We didn't have iPods and PlayStations and satellite TVs. We looked forward to watching cowboys getting bucked on horses and bulls and roping calves." Blakely said other sheriff's departments have noted the success of Limestone's event. "Other departments such as Morgan and Cullman have started holding rodeos," Blakely said. "It helps give families something to do and brings money in to our hotels and restaurants. One convenience store owner said his business doubles during rodeo weekend. It gives our citizens a fun event and brings those from other counties and states to Limestone County." Yep, it's time to slide on a pair of blue jeans and boots and cowboy up. The rodeo is coming to town. How to giddy on up May is Rodeo Month in Limestone County and there are various events to coincide with the 28th annual Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo. --Saturday: Sheriff's Rodeo Parade, line-up at 1 p.m., starts at 2 p.m.; no entry fee; from Sheriff's Rodeo Arena on Alabama 99 to downtown Athens, north on Jefferson Street and west on Elm Street back to arena. --May 10: Preston's Rodeo Kickoff, 5 p.m., Preston's Western Wear on U.S. 72 at Interstate 65; free; children's activities and horseback rides. --May 11: Street Dance, 7 p.m., downtown Athens; Jeff Whitlow and The Old Barn Band, line dancing, western fashion show; free. --May 13: Slack, gates open at 9 a.m., competitions begin at 10 a.m., Sheriff's Rodeo Arena; $5; includes all team roping contestants and contestants from other categories who are not competing on rodeo nights. --May 14: Exceptional Rodeo for special needs children and adults; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sheriff's Rodeo Arena. First night of rodeo; gates open at 6 p.m., Kids Gold Rush at 7 p.m., and opening ceremonies at 8 p.m.; competitions are bareback bronc riding, calf roping, break-away roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, cowgirl's barrel racing, chick wagon races, bull riding, rodeo clowns and specialty acts. --May 15: Miss Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo Contestants Luncheon, noon; Central Church of Christ at U.S. 31 and Alabama 251; $20, buy in advance by calling Jennifer McBay at 216-5029; rodeo contestants will model, answer impromptu questions and present short speeches; Curry's of Decatur is catering. Last night of rodeo, same times and competitions as above but includes pony rides for children ages 10 and under starting at 6 p.m. and crowning of the rodeo queen. Getting tickets Rodeo tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger. Prices at the gate are $15 and $10. Get tickets in Athens at the Sheriff's Department, Railroad Bazaar, Jiffy No. 1 and 2, Preston's Western Wear, Marie's Country Store, Posey's and in Rogersville at Warren's BP. HOLLY HOLLMAN On the Net limestonesheriffrodeo.com To see more of The Decatur Daily, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.decaturdaily.com Copyright (c) 2010, The Decatur Daily, Ala. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |