9th Annual Walt Walden Memorial Rodeo Set for Sept 10-13

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9th Annual Walt Walden Memorial Rodeo Set for Sept 10-13

ATLANTA – August 27, 2009 - Willett Honda South of Morrow will sponsor the 9th Annual Walt Walden Memorial Rodeo presented by the Henry County Rodeo Association with the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) from Sept. 10-13, 2009, at Jason T. Harper Event Center in McDonough, Ga.

The Walt Walden Memorial Rodeo attracts professional and amateur rodeo cowboys and cowgirls from across the Southeast who will vie for more than $10,000 in prize money this year. Contestants will compete in saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping and breakaway roping.

The rodeo is named in honor of the late Walt Walden, a champion calf and team roper who resided in Henry County. A portion of the proceeds from the rodeo will benefit several Henry County nonprofit organizations and also provide scholarships to three Georgia high school students.

Traci Walden, former wife of Walden and a competitive barrel racer, heads up the scholarship portion of the rodeo. “Scholarship recipients may participate in the rodeo this year. Past recipients have used their scholarships for college rodeo and often go on to further their rodeo careers,” said Walden. “Most of the young men from Georgia who are now rodeo professionals, Walt taught them,” she added. “He worked with so many kids in Henry County; this rodeo is a way to give back and keep Walt’s memory alive for his [young] son, Wyatt.”

Willett Honda is lead sponsor of the rodeo for the third consecutive year. “The Walt Walden Memorial Rodeo is great entertainment for the entire family and also a significant fundraiser that annually donates on average about $10,000 to various nonprofit organizations in Henry County,” said Scott Willett, co-owner of Willett Honda South. “We are glad to support this event, which has been a tradition in Henry County for so many years.”

In addition to the riding and roping competitions, the rodeo venue will have pony rides, mechanical bull rides and a rock-climbing wall with bungee cords. Ticket prices are $10 to $17 and can be purchased online at www.ticketalternative.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the following Henry County businesses and organizations: Willett Honda South, Racetrack Auto and Truck, McDonough Tourist Center, Henry County Recreation Department and Henry County Extension Office. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 12 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit www.hcrodeo.com.