The Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo didn’t disappoint this year with the boots, chaps, and excitement to match. While the competitions thrilled, before it kicked off each night a special king and queen melted hearts. Every year a special needs activity night is held as part of the rodeo that allows the special needs participants to enter a drawing to be the king or queen to kick off each night of the rodeo. On Thursday the royalty was Alexis Rice and Cody Parrack. On Friday there were two kings as David and Samuel Pierce shared the honor accompanied by queen Vanessa Lusk. On Saturday the king was adorable 4-year-old Jonathan Spainhower and 5-year-old Emma Sturm. The pair brought their own flare to the event. Jonathan insisted on wearing his Spiderman costume so Emma made sure to wear her Supergirl dress. The experience went better than the parents could have dreamed, shared Emma’s mother Sarah Sturm. “We knew beforehand that all the noise could be a problem but they both sat there and were smiling and waving,” said Sturm. “It was a special experience.” In addition to Wednesday night’s activities, the rodeo holds a section of the stadium for the special needs community members and their families to attend the rodeo. The first year they had about 35 attendees but this year was nearly 85 plus their families. The rodeo and its additional activities were a success this year.
