FOLEY, Ala. — An annual rodeo whose mission is to provide potential life-giving assistance to local youth will be a three-night event this year.

The 12th Annual Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Professional Rodeo will be held at the Foley Horse Arena Aug. 6-8. All proceeds directly benefit the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides educational assistance to students at eight county schools — soon to be nine — through a “Peer” program designed to address suicide prevention and adolescent crisis management.

“This year we’ve added some wonderful ‘extras’ to the Rodeo,” Frances Holk-Jones, president of the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation, said.

“First of all, it’s grown to a point where we needed to add an extra night. Secondly, we decided to start an hour early with fabulous entertainment, including a band straight from Nashville on Thursday and Friday and a Children’s Village on Saturday.”

Holk-Jones said the “extras” are included in the price of Rodeo admission.

“So come early and join in on the fun,” she said.

Tickets at the gate will be $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 4-12, and free for children 3 and under. Pre-sale tickets are available at Summerdale Western Store, State Farm in Foley, and all Colonial and Wachovia bank branches in the county for $1 off admission.

The title sponsor for the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Professional Rodeo is South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.

Rodeo events will be held at 8 p.m. on Aug. 6-8 with pre-Rodeo festivities beginning at 7 p.m.

Rodeo events will actually kickoff this Friday, July 31, at 4 p.m. at the Chicago Street Farmers Market and a Movie in the Park. These weekly events have been held during the summer months at Heritage Park downtown, but this week will see the addition of “The Forward City’s” first “Touch a Truck” event held as part of the admission-free festivities.

“The Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation is so thankful to have partnered with the City of Foley Convention and Visitors Bureau for this event,” Holk-Jones said.

“We wanted to offer something for the entire community that was free of charge and get everybody ‘geared up’ for the upcoming Rodeo.”

Holk-Jones said she attended her first “Touch a Truck” event in Opelika, Ala.

“When I heard all those horns blowing and saw the smiles on all the children’s faces seeing all types of trucks - tow trucks, utility trucks, fire trucks, and so on - I knew that we needed to bring this event back to Foley.”

Holk-Jones thanked Kathy Danielson with the City of Foley CVB and Denson Freeman, who coordinated the trucks, for their support. Children of all ages can have a hands-on experience with a variety of trucks from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Heritage Park, Holk-Jones said, adding that a “horn free hour” will be observed for special needs children from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Besides the “Touch a Truck” event, the band Clementine will perform at 6 p.m., while the 2009 Rodeo Queens will be crowned at 7 p.m.

As has been the case all summer, the Farmers Market will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Heritage Park with the movie to follow. The movie that will show at dusk this Friday is “Pure Country.”

During Rodeo week, Nashville recording artists Tabor Dame will be performing their bluegrass-blue eyed soul vocals on Thursday, Aug. 6, and Friday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. The duo sing original songs along with the songs of Billy Ray Cyrus and Heartland.

Aug. 6 will be “Hometown Heroes” night honoring military and emergency personnel, all of whom will be admitted free if in uniform.

Aug. 7 will be “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” night, a breast cancer awareness theme, and the American Cancer Society will be on-site.

Saturday, Aug. 8, will be “Family Night.” A Children’s Village will be open from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jennifer Claire Moore’s family will be grand marshals for the evening.

Rodeo events in the Arena during the three nights will include bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and breakaway roping.

“The Rodeo truly is an incredible community event,” Lindsay Schumacher, executive director of the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation, said.

“It’s really great to see those who’ve never been to a rodeo come for the first time to this one. They’re quickly surprised to learn how exciting it really is. It’s easy to see why this rodeo was awarded the 2008 Professional Cowboy Association ‘Favorite Rodeo.’ It truly is a perfect community event.”

MISSION

The Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation mission is to give Baldwin County youth the confidence needed to confront and overcome the pressures of adolescence.

The Foundation funds “Peer Helper” and “Peer Leader” programs in participating area schools. Among program components are a “Peer Power” curriculum and specialized training and presentations by “Peer” students to the general school population.

Among the issues that the Foundation offers peer support for are self-esteem, general stress, sexual abstinence, alcohol/drug use, parental divorce, grief and weight issues.

The fundamental tenet of the “Peer Helper” and “Peer Leader” support system is that a teen will generally talk to another teen about a problem before confiding in a teacher or parent.

Schools with “Peer” programs today are Baldwin County High School, Bayside Academy, Central Baldwin Middle School, Daphne High School, Foley High School, Gulf Shores High School, Robertsdale High School, and Spanish Fort High School.

Summerdale School will be implementing their program during the 2009-2010 school year.