CULLMAN — Smiles reached from ear to ear as students made their way around the arena of the Cullman County Agricultural Center Thursday morning.

For the sixth year, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, along with the help of other sponsors, provided all special-needs students from the Child Development Center, the Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled and all other special-needs students with a mini-rodeo.

“There’s no words to describe the feeling you get when you see these kids enjoy themselves,” Cullman County Sheriff Mike Rainey said. “These guys put on a good show. You can just look and see that the kids enjoy it. This is probably the highlight of their life for this year.”

The Lone Star Rodeo Company, a professional Rodeo show treated the crowd to a preview of what people can expect to see tonight and Saturday at the 13th annual Sheriff’s Rodeo, with bull riding, team roping, barrel racing and even the occasional clown skit. Afterwards, those in attendance took part in hay-rides, stick horse races and steer roping.

The rodeo volunteers and sponsors not only provide all the events free of charge, but also provide lunch and T-shirts to everyone who was involved.  Rainey credits the rodeo’s success to the community and many sponsors and volunteers who help year after year.

Mike Wentworth, a Ridge Springs, S.C., native has been involved in many rodeos in his 17 years in the business and said nothing beats the joy he gets to see in the children’s faces while helping out with the event.

“This is my favorite part of the week,” Wentworth said, who is one of several rodeo clowns. “I look forward to coming to this every year for the fact that the sheriff’s department is doing something for a good cause. It’s not every week we get to do something like this with the kids.”

Events continue tonight and Saturday night with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Children ages five and younger will be admitted free. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Jack’s Western Wear, Traditions Bank and at the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.

Door tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. All proceeds benefit the sheriff’s department to help with buying equipment.

% Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225