| Clif Knight

Special needs students, adults share in a rodeo of their own

Special needs students and adults form throughout Morgan County shared in a rodeo of their own on Thursday thanks to the generosity of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, hundreds of volunteers and local business sponsors.

The event was staged at Morgan County Celebration Arena in Priceville and featured a wide variety of fun things to do. They included face painting, wagon and horse rides, mechanical bull ride, inflatables free balloons, popcorn and a sack lunch.

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In addition, cowboys and clowns presented a special performance in the arena following lunch.

“We had 1,186 students and adults pre-register, making this our biggest special Needs Rodeo ever,” said Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin. “We also have about 500 volunteers helping this year.”

“We’re happy to be growing,” she added. “It’s our desire to provide a special, fun-filled event that everyone with as special need can enjoy.”

“We’re also pleased to be putting on an IRA sponsored rodeo this year,” she pointed out. “Part of the proceeds from it is used to offset the cost of the Special Needs, In addition to the Child Advocacy Center, SNAP and PACT.