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The Bikes 4 Kids PCA Rodeo took place at 180 Chelsea Corners Way on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. (For the Reporter/Reagan Hopper)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

CHELSEA – Chelsea was filled with smiles, cheers and spectacle as residents gathered to enjoy two action-packed nights during the third annual Bikes 4 kids PCA Rodeo.

The Bikes 4 Kids PCA Rodeo took place at 180 Chelsea Corners Way, on the same field that The Big Kaboom is held, on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2

“We had a good turnout,” Bikes 4 Kids Founder and Director Charlie Bradford said. “The community really loved it from the feedback I’m getting. Even though some of them couldn’t come—that’s understandable—but we did have a good rodeo.”

The third annual Bikes 4 Kids PCA rodeo was originally planned for Sept. 27-28 but was delayed due to inclement weather from Hurricane Helene.

“I certainly can’t predict the weather and Helene coming through with us having to postpone it,” Bradford said. “You have to take the good with the bad sometimes, and that’s just how it happens. Mother nature has the last word.”

Entertainment during both nights included a lot of rodeo staples, including bareback riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, Ranch bronc riding, break away roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Each year, the Bikes 4 kids PCA Rodeo finds ways for kids to get involved with one of its more popular and entertaining offerings being its mutton bustin’ competition, during which children  try to hold onto a sheep for as long as they can before falling off.

The rodeo saw approximately 50 kids participate during both nights. At the end of each night’s mutton bustin’ competition, one winner received a Bikes 4 Kids belt buckle.

“(For the) kids, that’s their favorite part of the rodeo and the audience definitely enjoys it,” Bradford said. “We had some good laughs (and) we had a good time.”

During both nights of the rodeo, former 102.5 The Bull host and Country Music Radio Hall of Fame legend “Dollar” Bill Lawson served as the grand marshal.

“He’s a great guy,” Bradford said. “He really enjoyed the event (and) he said he is going to come to all of them from now on, even if he’s not grand marshal.”

In addition to the rest of the entertainment and festivities, Alabama-based country music artist, Josiah Rodda serenaded the crowd with a variety of tunes.

“He did a great job,” Bradford said. “Everybody really liked him.”

The rodeo was presented by 3R Rodeo Company and the city of Chelsea made a $10,000 donation to them to assist with expenses. While the event is not put on by the city, Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said he believes that the event fits nicely in the city’s schedule as an annual fall event.

Proceeds from the rodeo went toward helping fund Bikes 4 Kids, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that started in 2020. Bikes 4 Kids walked away with approximately $4,000 to utilize towards its mission to provide custom bikes for local kids during the holiday season.

“We put a personal touch into some of these bicycles for the underprivileged kids and build them customized,” Bradford said. “We build them (into) whatever they’re thinking and dreaming (of). Whatever they’re into at the time.”

In addition to the custom bicycles, Bradford said the organization puts excess funds toward providing clothes, food and toys during the holiday season as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

Those interested in learning more about Bikes 4 Kids may visit its official Facebook page at Facebook.com/B4KSCB.

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