The Rodeo Round Up returns to Potomac on Saturday, Oct. 6, offering fun for young wranglers as well as exciting activities for the entire family. The annual event helps raise funds to continue the work of two central Illinois non-profit agencies, Hooves of Hope and Gateway Family Services of Illinois.
Now in its fifth year, the Rodeo Round Up features children’s rodeo activities including mutton bustin’, stick horse barrel racing and steer ribbon pulling. This year, inflatables including bounce houses and climbing wall will also be set up for children to enjoy at the event.
[Photo provided by Hooves of Hope.]
“The rodeo isn’t just for kids,” said Michael Remole, COO and lead therapist with Gateway Family Services of Illinois. “We invite the whole family to come out and join us for a day of fun!”
Adults will have the chance to participate in stick horse barrel racing in the evening, enjoy food trucks throughout the day and hear live music from the Marvin Lee Band and Tony & Craig. Attendees can also participate in the popular “Jail & Bail” game, enabling participants to pay $25 to issue an arrest warrant for a friend as a fun way to raise additional funds.
Both partnering organizations are rooted in their equine programs that support children and their families in central Illinois, but have very separate and distinct services. Hooves of Hope works to provide hope, love and mentoring through therapies that incorporate horses. Gateway Family Services of Illinois is the clinical partner of Hooves of Hope, providing trauma-focused equine assisted psychotherapy, and individual and family counseling services.
“This is our one fundraising event throughout the year to support the mission of both organizations,” said Remole. “We want the community to know that their donations are going toward two causes that are truly changing lives.”
For both organizations, the primary focus of this year’s rodeo is to raise enough funds to complete the construction of a classroom building at the equine facility.
“The classroom will provide an indoor space for us to allow children and families to receive important counseling, mentoring and life skills services year round,” said Remole.
Hours for the Rodeo Round Up have been expanded this year, from 12 noon to 8:30 p.m., to allow participants to enjoy more of the events. Admission to the rodeo is $2 per person at the gate, and there is a $5 registration fee for children and adults to participate in rodeo activities. The Rodeo Round Up will be held at 7757 US Route 136, Potomac, IL 61865.
To register for the rodeo events and for additional event information, visit www.hoovesofhope.com.
