10th annual Miracle Rodeo rides into town

The 10th annual Miracle Rodeo is scheduled to take place this weekend in Jonesboro.

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.

Carter also said they had fewer male volunteers last year and they are hoping to have more this year.

"We always need a woman's touch, but we need some man power," she said. "Some of the activities are physically draining."

Registration for the volunteers begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and once the participants arrive at 1 p.m., there will be an orientation explaining each area.

Carter said after the orientation, volunteers can choose where they want to work and can do a variety of things through the day.

Volunteers will have the chance to work in different events or they can work one-on-one with a contestant, taking them from one event to another.

"It not only effects the lives of the children, but those who volunteer," Carter said.

Carter said even though the rodeo is set for the same day as homecoming, she is not worried about volunteers and contestants not showing up.

"The event will be over before the homecoming tailgating beings," she said. "The kids will get there at 1 and we will be locking the doors by 4 so everybody can be ready for the game by 6."

Lindsay Howard, a junior social work major from El Dorado, said she just found out about the rodeo but is making plans to attend.

"Even with it being during homecoming, it's at a good time that I can go," she said.

She also said she switched her major into social work because of opportunities like these to help underprivileged children.

"I have a soft heart and from the volunteer work, you know you're doing something to make those kids happy." Howard said.

Carter encourages volunteers to bring their children with them to help out with the event as well.

"We do not discourage volunteers of every age," she said. "We find something for everybody. Kids need to learn volunteerism at a young age."

For more information, e-mail Carter at carterscorner@sbcglobal.net, call her at 870-932-9538 or show up at 11:30 a.m.