CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry has announced the 21st annual Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Jimmy Arrington Memorial Rodeo, coming Dec. 13-14, 2019 to the Cullman Agricultural Trade Center, 17645 U.S. Hwy. 31 N, Cullman. The event will open at 7:30 each evening.
It’s a popular local draw; last year’s rodeo drew close to 4,000 in attendance over the two nights. The rodeo is the primary fundraising event for the CCSO, with the money used to purchase equipment for patrol deputies and computers for the office. Additionally, it supports community events like the Citizens’ Academy and firearm training and allows the office to donate more than $15,000 per year to local schools with special needs educational programs.
While it is a fundraiser, it is also a serious event on the rodeo circuit. Hosted by 4L & Diamond S Rodeo and sanctioned by both the International Professional Rodeo Association and Professional Cowboy Association, it will feature bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, cowgirls’ barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and team roping.
As always, the event will be preceded by the CCSO Special Needs Mini Rodeo, this year on Thursday, Dec. 12. The preview event features exhibitions of events like calf roping for men, break-away roping for ladies, team roping, bull riding, and ladies’ and juniors’ barrel racing. After the regular rodeo events conclude, the arena floor will open to students, assisted by volunteers and rodeo staff, so they can try their hands at barrel racing on stick horses, roping dummy calves and taking hayrides in wagons pulled by deputy-driven tractors. At every step, deputies and volunteers will be on hand to make sure that students’ limitations will not limit their fun.
With special needs students coming from every public school in the county, and some even expected to make the trip from other counties, the event is expected to see 1,400 guests.
Gentry told The Tribune, “We’re on track for it to be as big as it was last year, or bigger. Our sponsors have come out in droves, and they’re looking forward to being with the kids in the Special Needs Rodeo. That’s one of the highlights that we’ve had, is that our sponsors have been engrossed with us, with those kids that day. And 4L and Diamond S, they’re getting ready for the rodeo this year, to kick off their new 2020 season. I just can’t thank everybody for all their hard work: from the sponsors to the deputies that are participating in the rodeo event.”
At a glance
CCSO Jimmy Arrington Memorial Rodeo
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, 2019, opening at 7:30 each night
Cullman Agricultural Trade Center, 17645 U.S. Hwy. 31 N, Cullman
Tickets available at the door: $10 adults, $8 students
Special Needs Mini Rodeo, Thursday, Dec. 12
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