Sheriff’s rodeo treats special needs kids to a barrel of fun

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office rolled out the red carpet and rolled up the doors at the Celebration Arena in Priceville on March 24 for the county’s special needs students and adults at the Center for Developmen-tally Disabled.
The noise that was heard from as far away as Highway 67 came from the handclapping, laughing and yelling of more than 400 participants and an equal number of sheriff’s office employees and other volunteer workers.
The all-day event featured a wide variety of fun games and activities, including stationary bull roping and riding, horse stick barrel racing, wagon rides, horse and pony rides, face painting, dancing, bowling, hoop shoot, dunking booth and balloon throw.
The participants were broken up into small groups and a chaperone was assigned to each group. Employees from the sheriff’s department handled games and activities and clowns from the Buffoon Unit of Cahaba Shriners entertained.
A lunch consisting of a hot dog, potato chips, cookies and a soft drink was served at 11 a.m.
“It’s wonderful to see everyone having such a good time,” said Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin. “This is the biggest crowd for a special needs sheriff’s rodeo and that’s a credit to the wonderful support it receives from the community.
The kids and adults, too, really enjoy themselves and that’s great, but I believe those of us who volunteered to work with it received the biggest blessing.”
She added, “We’re especially grateful to all of the business sponsors who helped by donating food and prizes.�