Gates open a 6 p.m. at Ted May Arena
Cowboys returning to Jay this weekend
It's that time of year again and this weekend will be the 21st Jay Pro Rodeo at 8 p.m., this Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, at the Ted May Arena located on Highway 4 in Jay. Last year's rodeo was the largest attendance in the history of the event, probably because it was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. There are no pre-sold tickets, simply pay cash at the door, as this will be a cash only event. There will be no ATM on site. Parking is free.
No military or senior discount allowed, as this is a student fundraiser. No open containers are allowed and concessions will be available.
There will be food vendors, free face painting, bounce houses, mechanical bull rides and more.
The Jay Pro Rodeo is hosted by the 3R Rodeo Company from Jemison, Ala. and offers pro bull riding, saddle broncs, calf and team roping, steer wrestling and women's breakaway and barrel racing.
The funds raised from the non-profit annual event that draws large crowds enables thousands to be donated to surrounding communities, school, sports leagues and charities, including My Father's Arrows children's home. The event is one of the largest fundraisers in Jay and many organizations in the area benefit from donations.
Rodeo organizer and minister Frederick Barrow approached the Jay council April 18 about a donation and borrowing the movable bleachers the town owns and the council approved both.
"Thank you for your support the last 20 years," Barrow told council members at the last council meeting. "I love community support for the community projects. We have the House of Hope, and helped almost 200 families recently. We are always looking at ways to better serve the community and appreciate any ideas you all have."
Barrow told the council the monies have gone to the Student Government Association and many other organizations, basically whoever is in need. He said that last year, every club at Jay High School got $1,000. He said $30,000 went into Jay High School last year from the rodeo.
Barrow said the grand stands that seat 3,000 more people were rented last year and people came in droves. The rodeo stock contractor, Barrow said, gets about $30,000. The organizers of the rodeo sign a contract with a company that provides everything.
"It's a pro-sanctioned event," said Barrow. "They're competing toward the nationals, the bulls are competing toward the nationals, they line up the judges, the clowns, the specialty act and we pay them a set amount for that, They're over all that."
Barrow said the organizers are responsible for getting the sponsors and someone to do the tickets. After you pay them, the leftover money is dispersed.
"We've helped benevolence, when kids couldn't afford cleats, fees, whatever, we've helped kids beyond Jay school," said Barrow. "The orphanage, we've given to them several years. This year, when the weight-lifting team went to state, they had zero funding. So the rodeo stepped up and paid their tab, their hotel their gas, their food, so it has been a blessing."
For more information, contact Barrow at 850-288-0634.
