10th annual Miracle Rodeo rides into town
Molly Carpenter
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: Entertainment
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The Miracle Rodeo, which is sponsored by The Craighead County Mounted Patrol, is a simulated rodeo for special needs children and will be at the Craighead County Fairgrounds on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sherry Carter, chairwoman for the rodeo, said the students, or contestants, are ages 2-72 and come from schools in Craighead County.
"They come from preschools that work with special needs students and adult facilities that work with special needs adults," Carter said.
The Craighead County Mounted Patrol puts on other fundraisers throughout the year and they take donations from places like grocery stores and restaurants to raise funds to put on the Miracle Rodeo.
The fundraising and donations allows them to fund the event, serve snacks to the contestants and give the contestants the opportunity to compete with no costs.
Some events contestants can expect to compete in are swing-set bare-back riding, barrel bull riding, stick horse barrel racing and roping. Every participant will also receive a trophy.
The event will also have face painting, karaoke, a petting zoo, balloon art, pictures, hats and bandanas, wagon rides and horse rides.
"Even participants in wheelchairs can ride horses," Carter said.
"They all come and enjoy the day."
Along with donations, volunteers are vital for the event to take place.
Carter said that in the past, ASU has been one of their largest contributors of volunteers, with students from the physical education department, social work department and the nursing and health professions department coming out to help.
Some classes at ASU have even offered extra credit in the past to students who came out to help.
"We always need more [volunteers]," Carter said. "We can never have a shortage of volunteers."
All volunteers are welcome and need no special requirements.
"They need to have no special skills except a big heart, a big smile and a good pair of tennis shoes or cowboy boots," Carter said.
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