Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo hosts first Ragin’ Cajun Roundup

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) — The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo introduced a new event Monday designed to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience the rodeo firsthand.

The first Ragin’ Cajun Roundup took place Monday evening at the Art Saunders Arena, two days before the start of the 74th annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. Organizers partnered with the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center and Community Sheltered Workshop to create an evening of hands-on rodeo activities in a supportive environment.

The idea came after rodeo secretary Kelly Marks attended a similar event at a rodeo in Alabama earlier this year.

“I saw they were having a special needs rodeo, so I checked it out and I was like, we need to bring this back to Sikeston,” Marks said.

The event is named in memory of longtime rodeo clown Rick “The Ragin’ Cajun” Young, who entertained Sikeston rodeo crowds for more than 60 years before his death in March.

“The next morning after I watched the special needs rodeo, I woke up to a text that we had lost Rick,” Marks said. “When I got back here and proposed the idea to the guys, we decided that was a good way to honor Rick… In honor of Rick, we all rodeo.”

Participants rotated through interactive stations, including steer roping, stick pony barrel racing, rodeo queen autographs, gentle animal encounters and hands-on opportunities to explore rodeo equipment. Therapists from the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center were also on site to assist participants throughout the evening.

Michelle Fayette, director of the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center, said many of the participants had been eagerly anticipating the event.

“They’re getting very excited as we got closer to the event,” Fayette said. “They don’t really get an opportunity to get this close to the animals and see the tack and what the cowboys do and see the queens. So we’re really excited for them to kind of share in this opportunity.”

Fayette said organizers also worked to ensure the event was accessible for participants using wheelchairs and other specialized equipment.

Around 100 participants, family members and caregivers attended the free event. Families registered through the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center and Community Sheltered Workshop.

Organizers hope the Ragin’ Cajun Roundup becomes an annual tradition. If successful, they plan to use what they learn this year to determine the volunteers and resources needed to expand the event to the public in 2027.

“I just think it’s great to give people the opportunity,” Marks said. “Let’s give them their own night to come out here and be cowboys and cowgirls and have fun like everybody else… Everybody gets an opportunity.”

The 74th annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo runs Aug. 5-8 at the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds.