Rodeo

Cliff Williams / TPI The new Priefort arena with six chutes was installed by volunteer labor. Dirt was also hauled in for the project and lights are being provided by Central Alabama Electric Cooperative.

If you think something is different on the chutes and fences at the Wetumpka FFA Alumni Rodeo this weekend, it’s because there is.

Thanks to a partnership between the City of Wetumpka, the Elmore County Commission and Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, a new lighted rodeo arena has been installed at the Wetumpka Sports Complex. The best part is it will stay and host multiple events each year.

“The cowboy church has an arena but no bucking chutes,” volunteer and rodeo organizer Sid McKissick said. “This one has the chutes and Central Alabama Electric has installed six LED lights.”

McKissick and the FFA alumni worked with the commission and city to get an arena. Loads of dirt were hauled in as well to create the “floor” of the arena and stalls. 

McKissick and others worked into the darkness several nights to assemble the Priefert arena and chutes.

“I don't know of another place around here that's got anything set up like that, in that it's permanently installed,” McKissick said. “They didn't do this just for this rodeo. They're gonna have multiple events out there throughout the year.”

The idea is for the facility to be scheduled through the city. It will allow rodeos year round. Barrel racing all the time as well. There are ideas to eventually cover the arena and maybe even enclose it.

McKissick said Wetumpka and Elmore County can get ready for events to come. He should know with more than two decades experience as a bull rider and rodeo clown.

Sign up for Newsletters from The Herald

“I traveled all over the place,” McKissick said. “These guys will go from rodeo to rodeo. They will hit two to three in a weekend.”  

McKissick and the FFA are hopeful the new arena and the $8,000 in local money for prize money for competitors will attract good competition for this weekend’s rodeo.

“When they are putting together their schedule of where to go, competitors look at that local money,” McKissick said. “It lets winners take a good bit more home. The more there is, the better competitors show up. The new arena just makes it all the better. It means the world to me to get this kind of local support for the FFA rodeo and other rodeos.”

The Wetumpka FFA Alumni Rodeo started in 2018 to help raise funds to support FFA programs. It paused for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 but has been back every year since.

“It’s turned into a great fundraiser,” McKissick said. “The community has really supported us in the cause.”

The rodeo is Friday and Saturday at the Wetumpka Sports Complex. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and mutton busting starts at 6 p.m.

There will be a horse parade through downtown Wetumpka at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Â