Miracle Rodeo Returns to City

By Sherry F. Pruitt JONESBORO — Years ago, Sherry Carter, co-owner of Carter’s Corner, was asked to volunteer at the Greene County Miracle Rodeo. She did, and she was hooked. “I was one who took a child around to the events. I fell in love with it,” Carter said. The Jonesboro native was so enthused with the program that she wanted to start one in her home county of Craighead. She asked the Craighead County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol to sponsor it. “They fell in love with it,” and she joined the mounted patrol as member and Miracle Rodeo chairwoman, she said. “It’s a calling we all have. The CCSMP believes it’s something the community wants and needs.” In its 11th year, the CCSMP has continued to support the event, a type of a simulated rodeo that caters to children with special needs and adult cowboys and cowgirls. This year, the Miracle Rodeo will be 1-3:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Craighead County Fairgrounds. No Miracle Rodeo was held last year because of illness. One of the major items on the planning agenda, Carter said, is securing enough volunteers to operate the event, which draws its clientele from school districts in Craighead County, preschools that work with special-needs children and facilities that serve special-needs adults. “People will see special-needs adults with severe physical disabilities, and some have learning disabilities that may not be seen,” she said. So far, members of the Arkansas State University men’s and women’s basketball teams and some civic organizations have volunteered labor. “There is a need for 500 volunteers,” Carter said. “There are usually 150 children, and they bring 300 to 500 family members.” In particular, Carter said she needs volunteers who can help lift the cowpokes and let them enjoy the rodeo-like activities. While the Miracle Rodeo and ASU Homecoming will be held on the same day, the rodeo will end before pre-game tailgating begins, Carter said.