Grab your cowboy boots and saddle up for the annual Farmhouse Rodeo benefiting Opelika's Storybook Farms.
The rodeo is a community sponsored and family-oriented event.
Fraternity and sorority teams compete in a variety of traditional events and activities such as stick-horse racing and a Ms. Rodeo Queen Pageant, according to Farmhouse's Web site.
"The atmosphere of the rodeo is my favorite part," said Farmhouse Rodeo Chairman Fuller McCabe. "I think it's very Auburn, just being out there and hearing a country band is a great time."
Rodeo activities include everything from bull and bronco riding to steer wrestling and calf roping. Immediately following the rodeo, a live band will treat the audience to country music.
"One of the biggest things we are looking forward to this year is having Justin Moore as our performing artist," said Josh Murphy, Farmhouse president. "We booked him pretty early this year, and since then he has really become a big hit within the country music scene, most noticeably with his song 'Small Town U.S.A.'"
The Mason Dixon Band is opening for Justin Moore. The Mason Dixon Band is said to open at 9 p.m., and Justin Moore should begin at 10 p.m.
All money raised from the rodeo will be donated directly to Storybook Farms, a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic programs for children with disabilities.
"We like to raise somewhere around $20,000," McCabe said. "We are thinking that if we could do that or a little more than that it will be a pretty successful year."
Storybook Farms is a children's therapeutic horseback riding facility in Opelika. Storybook Farms allows kids with any type of mental or physical disability to come to the farm and ride the horses.
"Since the rodeo was started, we have been able to raise more than $40,000 for Storybook Farms, and this year we really hope to be able to donate an even larger amount," Murphy said.
This year Storybook Farms plans to build an additional lean-to barn with the donations from Farmhouse.
"We have three horses more than we have housing," said Dena Little, owner of Storybook Farms.
Little said Storybook Farms is honored Farmhouse has chosen the farm as their philanthropy.
Six years ago, Farmhouse began working with Storybook Farms by coming out to help work around the farms. Four years ago, they established this rodeo so they could help in a more profound way.
"It is very meaningful to us," Little said. "We think so highly of Farmhouse and the ideals that they have and the amount of time and ongoing commitment they have made to Storybook."
The Farmhouse Rodeo is scheduled for Oct. 16 and will be on Sand Hill Road behind Good Ole Boys restaurant on South College Street. Gates open at 6 p.m., but it starts at 7 p.m.
Farmhouse will be selling tickets to the rodeo on the Concourse. The presale tickets are $10 and tickets at the gate are $15.
"Now that this is our fourth year having the rodeo, we hope to have the largest crowd yet to date," Murphy said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
