A rodeo promoter and rodeo clown-in-training visited schoolsthroughout the county Thursday passing out free tickets to thisweekend’s second annual Brookhaven PRCA Rodeo to children fromkindergarten to third grade.

Karen Saulters, marketing director for the rodeo, said thetickets were a reward to the children for a promise made last yearto the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department to remain drug free.Lincoln County Sheriff Wiley Calcote and Deputy B.W. Pitts, whooversees the POSSE program, also made the tour.

“It’s a personal, family agenda for Mr. J.C. Kitaif (the rodeo’sorganizer and stock contractor) and the POSSE program of thesheriff’s department,” Saulters said.

The rodeo clown-in-training, 12-year-old Jumping Jack Kitaif,the promoter’s son, will also perform at the rodeo Friday andSaturday night beginning at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln County Multi-UseFacility.

Brian Potter of Alabama will again be the featured rodeo clownwith his hilarious stunts. He was the chief clown last year.

“He’s done rodeos all over the United States. He’s been ontelevision. He’s an A-1 act,” Saulters said.

A featured event lined up last week is the inclusion of Mojo,the world’s smallest professional bull. Mojo will be available forposed pictures with the children.

“He loves children,” Saulters said. “He’s very child friendlyand poses no danger to children.”

Rodeo competitions at the event include bull riding, calfroping, team roping, women’s barrel racing, bareback riding, saddlebronc, steer wrestling and girl’s break away. A calf scramble isalso scheduled for friendly competition among the children in theaudience.

Another event open to amateurs of all ages is the open barrelrace.

Kelsey Ann Jackson of Brookhaven will sing several songs duringthe intermission, Saulters said.

Traveling vendors will also have western wear and hats for sale,as well as other favorite festival fare.

Sure to be a hit, Saulters said, is the addition of a mechanicalbull ride for all ages.

“We just want to give everyone the chance to bring out that bullrider in them,” she said. “I think it will something everyone canenjoy.”

Tickets for the rodeo are on sale at Richards Paint and AutoRepair, Rushing’s Boots, Brookhaven Equipment Company and Rushing’sMetal Buildings. Tickets will also be available at the gate, whichopens at 6 p.m.