ROBERTSDALE, Alabama – The Robertsdale Rotary Club and the Robertsdale Rotary Foundation will present the 17^th annual PCA Championship Rodeo Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12 at the Baldwin County Fairgrounds arena in Robertsdale.

“We’re doing some different things this year in an effort to provide more family entertainment and welcome everyone to come out and support us for a good cause to benefit local charities,” said Bryan Chandler, Rotary Club president for 2015-16.

The event, which is produced by Bo Campbell Rodeo and is part of the Ram Rodeo Series. Coca Cola Consolidated is the Friday night sponsor. Wind Creek Hospitality is the sponsor for Saturday night.

According to a release issued by the Ram Rodeo Series, Chrysler and the Ram Truck brand have brought the best in rodeo since 1981.

“Starting with only 18 events more than 30 years ago, the Ram Truck brand and local Ram Truck brand dealerships have teamed up to host over 560 rodeos a year across the United States,” according to the release. “The Ram Rodeo Series was created to be an experience to showcase the sport as it blends local dealer involvement, while paving the way for future generations of cowboys and cowgirls through scholarships, auctions and various initiatives.”

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. both nights with events beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the rodeo cost $12 for adults, $6 for ages 5 to 12 and free for children under 5. Advance tickets are available at the Summerdale Western Store, Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Bryant Bank locations in Daphne.

Friday night is Kid’s Night with free admission for all children under 12 when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Saturday night will feature a special salute to veterans.

Chandler said he wished to thank all the sponsors participating in this weekend’s event.

“This is our major fundraiser for the year,” he said. “From the money we raise through sponsorships, ticket and concession sales, we are able to give throughout the year to local charities and civic organizations as well as provide scholarships for local students.”

Chute gate sponsors are Alabama Ag Credit, Robertsdale Dental Care, Dr. Jason Northcutt, Greer’s CashSaver Cost Plus Food Outlet, United Bank, the City of Robertsdale and Campbell Hardware & Sporting Goods.

Banner sponsors are Seminole Lawn Care LLC, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Willie T’s, Woerner Turf, Riviera Utilities, Robertsdale Rehabilitation & Healthcare, Bay Minette Rotary Club, Central Baldwin Sunset Rotary Club, Sweat Tire Company, Gulf Coast Media and Silverhill Furniture & Décor.

In addition, billboard sponsors are Standard Furniture, Citizens’ Bank and Bryant Bank; concession stand sponsors are First Baldwin Land Title, Thomas Pilcher IV, and D & S Produce; and the clown is provided by Regions Bank. 

This year’s Rodeo will include halftime entertainment, sponsored by United Bank, featuring Wild Western Entertainment with the Rawhide-n-Dusty Show & The James Boys.

Mark “Rawhide” Lahmann and his wife Cindy of Sullivan, Missouri, have traveled all over the United States for more than 15 years performing at various events. This will be their first time performing in this area, organizers said.

Rawhide and the horses entertain the crowd with tricks such as shaking their head yes and no, bowling, lying down and raring up. After performing these tricks, Rawhide will lope the horse around the arena performing whip popping on horse- back.

Rawhide also has two trained Texas Longhorn steers known as Frank and Jessie, the outlaws from Missouri. Frank and Jessie perform on top of the trailer with Rawhide and the horse. Visit rawhideanddusty.com for more information.

Campbell Hardware in Robertsdale is again donating a Henry Golden Big Boy .45 Long Colt Rifle and raffle tickets are being sold through Rotary Club members or during the event. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and a drawing will be held Saturday night.

For the fourth year, the rotary club held a cover art contest with Mara Stockton of Robertsdale, a junior at Robertsdale High School, selected among over 100 entries as this year’s winner. She received $100 and three tickets to the rodeo.

Students from throughout Central Baldwin County submitted artwork for the contest. Honorable mention winners will also receive recognition inside the program and tickets to the rodeo.

Honorable mentions are; Anna Phillips, senior, RHS; Tiara Gardner, sophomore, RHS; Arial Corbin, fifth grade, Loxley Elementary School; Gavin Collins, third grade, Robertsdale Elementary School; Isaac Martin, third grade, Robertsdale Elementary School; Tru Caylao, sixth grade, Rosinton School; Rebekah Owens, fourth grade, Rosinton School; Katherine Findley, senior, RHS; Karsyn Bodle, fourth grade, Robertsdale Elementary School; Cristian Hartado, second grade, Robertsdale Elementary School; Andi Ard, fifth grade,  Elsanor School; and Alaina Lutz, eighth grade, Central Baldwin Middle School.

Children ages 12 and under will also have the opportunity to complete a coloring page to be entered into drawings for a chance to win bicycles at the rodeo Friday and Saturday, Chandler said. Both a girls’ and a boys’ bicycle, provided by Walmart, will be given away both nights of the rodeo and you must be present to win.

Coloring pages, sponsored by local dentist Dr. Tara Wheeler and Southern Pine Straw Inc., will be handed out during a mini-rodeo event to be held Wednesday at the Fairgrounds Arena. Rotary and rodeo officials will also be handing out coloring pages at local schools on Thursday. Coloring pages are also available at robertsdalerotary.com and on both nights of the rodeo.

Come early and enjoy a mini-carnival with tickets available for purchase for rides from 5:30 to 7:30 before the rodeo begins, Chandler said.

The event is the Rotary Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year and has raised thousands through its history. Proceeds benefit the local community, including sports programs and schools. The Rotary Club Foundation also sponsors the annual Hot Trot which benefits ARC of Baldwin County. The 2015 Hot Trot netted more than $9,300 for ARC.

In addition in 2015-16, the Robertsdale Rotary Club Foundation has contributed to Blessed Hope Boys Academy, Project REACH of Baldwin County, Women’s Medical, the William F. Green Veterans Home, The Ridden Word Ministries, Robertsdale High School baseball team, Micro Lending Project, Honduras, Robertsdale Elementary School and Emmanuel House for Girls in Moldova.

The Robertsdale Rotary Club is a member of Rotary International which boasts more than 1.2 million members worldwide and operates by the credo of “Service above self,” and under the motto of the 4-way test, “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Locally the club meets at noon every Tuesday at Mama Lou’s Restaurant on Pine Street in Robertsdale.

For more information visit robertsdalerotary.com.