Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin waves to parade viewers during the Rodeo Parade Saturday in Hartselle. | Randy Garrison

Clif  Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

On Thur., April 7, a special needs rodeo will be held at the Morgan County Celebration Arena at 67 Horse Center Road in Decatur beginning at 8 a.m.

An estimated 1,400 special needs children and young adults from throughout Morgan County are expected to participate, with assistance provided by their teachers, aides and volunteers from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department and other community organizations.

Sponsors will provide free balloons, refreshments, face painting, dancing, mechanical bull rides and several participation games. In addition, they will be able to see cowboys perform a mini-version of a rodeo competition in the arena.

The rodeo’s main event will be staged at the Celebration Arena Friday and Saturday, April 8-9.  Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and competitive events will get underway at 7 p.m. both days.

Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. They may be purchased at the Morgan County’s Sheriff’s Office or People’s Bank in Decatur.

Professional cowboys and cowgirls from throughout the southeast will compete for PCA points and cash prizes. Events will include bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel acing, saddle and bareback bronco riding. rodeo clowns will entertain the audience between competitions.

A grand entry will be made before each performance with Sheriff Franklin taking the lead. She will be followed by the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, rodeo performers and other riders.

Rodeo sponsors include Jack’s, People’s Bank, Lynn Layton Chevrolet, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Merchants Foodservice, Pepsi, Halsey Food Service, NCIC. QCHS and Keefe Group.