by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
This weekend’s United States Professional Rodeo Championship Finals at the Equestrian Center will feature some of the best bull riders and calf ropers in the country.
The crowd also will see cowgirl barrel racing and bareback steer wrestling — everything that goes into a rodeo — one of the more wholesome, family-oriented events you’ll find.
Considering the two-day event should draw a big crowd, it may be a bit of a blessing in disguise that the Justice Coalition has formed a partnership with the USPR and will hold its eighth annual Justice Jamboree on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. preceding the 6 p.m. rodeo finals.
“We were no longer able to use the private ranch we usually use,” said Ann Duggar, executive director of the Justice Coalition. “We were also invited to use the Diamond D ranch.”
The Justice Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to not only bringing current criminals to justice, but to preventing crime as well. Because its revenue is derived entirely from donations and fund raisers, the Justice Coalition relies heavily on events such as its annual Jamboree.
“It’s one of our biggest fund raisers of the year,” said Duggar, adding that the theme tends toward patriotism and family.
Saturday’s day-long event will feature a 1927 Jacksonville fire truck owned by Bill Gay, horse-drawn wagon rides, an antique car and tractor show, pony rides and the always-popular turkey shoot. Duggar said they will give away a turkey every 10 minutes all day, with the overall winner taking home a new shotgun. Although it’s impossible to predict the winner, Duggar said Circuit Court Judge Lance Day would have to be considered a favorite.
“Lance is a hunter and he really enjoys the sport,” said Duggar. “I think he really appreciates the turkey shoot.”
Day downplayed his marksmanship but said the event is a good time and for a worthwhile cause (due to an ethics code, judges cannot officially endorse the Justice Coalition or any other similar organization).
“I go to the event as a private citizen with my family,” said Day. “I have been taking my family for years and it’s something we enjoy very much.”
Other judges who have participated to some extent include Circuit Judges David Gooding and Waddell Wallace and County Judge Gary Flower.
Duggar said last year’s event raised $38,000 and she has set a goal of $50,000 this year. That number may be tough to reach.
“Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were hard on businesses,” said Duggar. “They have already given money to those efforts and many are at their end-of-the-year budgets. It’s like pulling eye teeth.”