Crenshaw County Rodeo hosts international attendees
Published 5:05 am Friday, August 12, 2022
This year's rodeo had visitors from Germany, France, and Argentina. Photo Submitted
Luke Castleberry rides a sheep in mutton bustin' at the rodeo. He is the son of Blake and Tony Castleberry. Photo by Christy Johnson
Fowler Warner looks on at the rodeo event held Saturday! He is the son of Bud and Shea Fowler Warner. Photo by Christy Johnson
The National Pro Rodeo brought the bucking broncos to Luverne, making for some rough rides. Photo by Christy Johnson
Miss Crenshaw County, Kensley Wallace, shows some girl-power grit while competing in mutton bustin’ Saturday. Wallace is the daughter of John Wallace and Monica Boswell Wallace. Photo by Christy Johnson
A pick-up rider pulls a cowboy from a bronco before he can be bucked off. Photo by Christy Johnson
Cowboy hats and boots became an apparel must-have in Luverne over the weekend.
The bleachers at Tom Harbin Ag Center were filled with locals, young and old, and even a few from the other side of the world. The rain cooled things off prior to the event, but high-tailed it out of there before the cowboys and cowgirls rode into the arena under the setting sun.
Friday and Saturday’s 35th Annual Crenshaw County Rodeo was one for the books and one that will be talked about around the world. Literally.
“We had one of the coolest things Friday,” said Stae Sanders, rodeo coordinator. “When you think we live in little bitty Luverne, then, all of a sudden, something happens. We had a man, truly from Germany that was traveling through.”
Sanders said the visitor from Germany was in the area visiting friends and had never attended a rodeo. He added the unidentified man confirmed his enjoyment of the event to him before leaving.
Germany was not the only country represented at this year’s rodeo. A Troy State University student from Argentina was in attendance, as well as three young men from France.
More than one Crenshaw Countian was wondering what the odds of five international visitors showing up to the same event in Luverne might be. The trio from France told the rodeo announcer, Clint Alemand, that they were heading to New Orleans and wanted to see a rodeo. Google led them to Crenshaw County following their visit to Nashville, Tennessee.
Sanders said the rodeo was a huge success.
“Nobody got hurt and the kids had a ball,” Sanders said. “We didn’t get rained out. Saturday looked kind of rough, but it held off. We were blessed because we had a lot of good sponsors that helped us out.”
The community came out to support the 12 volunteer fire departments in the county; the bunking broncos were an added bonus. Other events included calf roping, steer wrestling, and a favorite for all ages, mutton bustin’.
Sanders said the crowds may have topped last year’s event but agreed there was no doubt the saddle bronc riding bucked last year’s event out of the arena. A new attraction, a mechanical bull, was a big hit and allowed everyone, no matter their age, to “cowboy up” and climb into the saddle.
Announcer Clint Alemand filled time between rides promoting event sponsors who pulled out their wallets to benefit the local VFD and ensure the event was a success. The proceeds from the rodeo are used to fund upkeep and purchase much-needed equipment.
The gates releasing the bronco riders sported names of a few sponsors including Sheriff Terry Mears, candidate for sheriff Ronnie White, Chicken Shack, District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer, South Alabama Electric Cooperative and Johnson Logging. The full list of sponsors who made this event possible can be found on the Crenshaw County Rodeo Facebook page as well as additional information about the rodeo.
