PRICEVILLE — Hundreds of special needs children and adults turned out to cheer for cowboys and cowgirls Thursday during a preview of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo, which begins tonight at 7 and continues Saturday.

None cheered more loudly than Lonnie Tosh, who hooted at every antic of the clowns and the riders clinging to bucking bulls.

Tosh was with a group of about 100 from the Centers for the Developmentally Disabled of North Central Alabama at Morgan County Celebration Arena, site of the rodeo.

Tosh said his favorite part of the rodeo was dancing — then danced himself to demonstrate. He didn’t require any encouragement from the clowns who urged the audience to their feet while “YMCA” by the Village People and Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” played over the loudspeakers.

CDD CEO Brad Romine and other chaperones said they were grateful to Sheriff Ana Franklin, her staff and volunteers for putting on the free rodeo and morning of games and activities such as face-painting and ring tosses. Romine and CDD also contributed, setting up a petting zoo and supplying two horses for rides.

“We even had some kids out there that were in wheelchairs that we would pick up and transfer onto the horses,” Romine said.

Cedar Ridge Middle School special education teaching assistant Viky Belew said she thought this year’s rodeo was bigger and better than previous ones.

“They (the kids) really enjoyed it. I don’t think many of them get out like this,” she said.

The sheriff said 1,186 registered for the event and, as far as she knew, all the school groups showed up despite cold weather.

“It was a little chilly,” said Decatur High Developmental Principal Bobbi Burmester, “but we just bundled up, and we’ve been fine.”

Franklin said she was just glad it didn’t rain, as a major expansion to this year’s special needs rodeo was an increase in outdoor activities, including a band and a bounce house.

Also, more cowboys entered this year’s rodeo, allowing for a bull-riding competition. Rodeo producer Bo Campbell brought his stock in early for the event.

Franklin said she was impressed by the composure of Junior Sheriff’s Posse member Wyatt Roden, 15, who is autistic, as he carried the flag during the grand entry.

“When you get in the middle of the ring with everybody screaming and the horse, it’s intimidating,” she said. “For him to have the confidence to do that is a blessing to him.”

What was the most popular attraction? It depends who you ask.

Cedar Ridge student Michaela Harris, 13, said she enjoyed playing basketball, and that while she thinks she would like to ride the horses, she steered clear of the mechanical bull.

“It’s too scary,” she said of the ride.

Alyssa Owens, 15, also a Cedar Ridge student, said her favorite part was the face painting, which resulted in a glittery pink and purple butterfly spreading its wings across her face.

Decatur High Developmental student Ahsia Bannister, 19, said she enjoyed the barrel-riding cowgirls and the clown.

“He’s silly,” she said.

Jessica Chase, with the CDD group, said she got a kick out watching the bulls try to buck their riders while she enjoyed a bag lunch.

“They have good sodas here, and I’m a Mountain Dew fan,” she said.

Kids weren’t the only ones who had fun.

Sheriff’s Department employee Shanon Dempsey had a blast running a dance hall activity booth.

“It was so much fun. We turned up the music, and the kids came in here and they just danced,” said an exhausted Dempsey after three hours of dancing. “I want to do it again next year.”

Participants received free T-shirts to wear to the event. The design was drawn by Brewer High School student Brittany Harris, who won a contest held by the Sheriff’s Department.

Franklin said planning for next year’s special needs rodeo will start soon.

“It gets bigger every year. More groups and organizations hear about it, call and want to come,” she said. “Our goal is for every person with a disability to be able to come and have their special day.”

Seth Burkett can be reached at 256-340-2446 or sburkett@decaturdaily.com.

Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo schedule

Tickets for the Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo at the Morgan County Celebration Arena in Priceville are on sale at Peoples Bank locations in Morgan County and the sheriff’s office. Tickets for ages 13 and up are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate, ages 5 to 12 years are $8 in advance or $10 at the gate, and 4 and under are free

Today

5:30 p.m. — Gates open.

6 p.m. — No Fences cowboy church, gold rush for kids, crowning of rodeo princess, envelope run for a diamond necklace (sponsored by Kay Jewelers).

7 p.m. — Grand Entry/rodeo begins. Events include calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, bareback bronco and saddle bronco riding, team roping, bull riding and barrel racing.

Intermission — Queen’s ride, best dressed little cowboy and little cowgirl (prize is $25 gift certificate to Jack’s Western Wear in Cullman), tennis ball toss (grand prize is two tickets to Charlie Daniels Band sponsored by Fredericks Equipment).

Door prizes and giveaways throughout the night.

Saturday

5:30 p.m. — Gates open.

6 p.m. — No Fences cowboy church, gold rush for kids, crowning of rodeo princess, envelope run.

7 p.m. — Grand Entry/rodeo begins.

Intermission — Crowning of rodeo queen, best dressed little cowboy and little cowgirl, tennis ball toss.
Door prizes and giveaways throughout the night.