If you hear "Yeehaw" around Statesboro, Georgia, in the spring time it isprobably coming from Bill Anderson, the Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo chairman.A member of the Statesboro KiwanisClub, Bill has been involved with the rodeo since its inception eight years ago."The Kiwanis Club in Statesboro was celebrating the 50th anniversary of its fairwhen we decided we wanted to fi nd a second event to put on each year. In October we host a six-day fair, so it was natural to pick a spring event," said the retired U.S.Navy Captain. With full access to the Kiwanis Club Fair Grounds, it was an easydecision to put on a rodeo. "We were pretty audacious that fi rst year when we said the fi rst annual rodeo, we were thinking it would be a success and it would continue.It is a great feeling to be in our eighth year and that it has become a staple event each spring in our town." This is the only rodeo put on in Statesboro, but several others are popping up in the surrounding area.

Every April, the two-day rodeo brings in almost 6,000 spectators for the IPRA and SPRA-sanctioned event. "When we started this rodeo one of our main goals was to have a top-notch rodeo operator.Someone to put a crisp, clean rodeo performance together." For the last eight years, this has fallen on the shoulders of Hedrick Rodeo Company out of Madisonville, Tennessee."Danny helped us with our initial game plan, giving us advice for running a rodeo. They have a family operation and both of their kids, Justin and Emily, are trick riders. They gave an outstanding performance at our rodeo this year." In addition to seeing an exciting rodeo, kids have the opportunity to bungee jump, ride a mechanical bull and play in a bounce house atthe rodeo. Along with good eats, according to Bill. "I like to say that we had gourmet hamburgers this year, because Hunter Cattle Company came in with their grass-fed beef as a food vendor."

Situated only 50 miles northwest of Savannah, Statesboro boasts Georgia Southern University and a community dedicated to development. "We have a healthy and balanced economy here. A lot of people come to Statesboro and don"t want to leave. It is a town people come back to." With sponsors like Coca Cola, JC Lewis Ford-Lincoln, Anderson"s General Store, Northland Communicationsand the Statesboro Herald, most expenses are covered by the time spectators arrive.This allows the Kiwanis Club to donate all proceeds back to charity. "Between the rodeo and our fair in the fall, we"ve been able to donate about $100,000 back to local charities the past several years. We actually carry rain insurance on the rodeo so if it gets rained out our expenses are covered, and we can still make a donation to charity. Luckily, we have not had to use it yet." The entire town of Statesboro is active in charity, with events held almost constantly. "The charitable activity of the town is one of the unique aspects. People going through the gate at the rodeo know their money is going towards a good cause."

One of the main goals of the rodeofrom the beginning has been to add value to the community through the event."We try to keep it affordable since it is such a good, clean family event. And to do right by our sponsors, they essentially drive the entire event." Summer Weldon, Miss Rodeo USA 2018, and Colt 45,a rodeo clown and bull fi ghter, were two of the special guests in Statesboro this past April. "Colt and Porkchop are our favorite clowns to have each year. We always enjoy spending time with Miss Rodeo USA and appreciate her helppromoting the rodeo during the week leading up to it. We are very proud of the rodeo and it is a good feeling that people continue to attend each year. We get asked about it even four or fi ve months before the rodeo. It is neat that people have told us it is the best rodeo they have been to. That makes all the work leading up to the rodeo, worth it."