Not Their First Rodeo: Easterseals gearing up for 9th annual rodeo

Joel Prawucki remembers when Easterseals of Middle Georgia first thought of holding a rodeo. At the time, they were hoping it would be an event that would catch on and be popular.

It has done that, and exceeded expectations.

“I’m surprised by the amount that it has grown,” Prawucki said. “Plus, we have learned since that first year.” 

And now they can honestly say that this is not their first rodeo. The Southeastern Professional Rodeo Association will head to Dublin, Ga. for the 8th annual Easterseals of Middle Georgia Rodeo.

The two-night event will be held Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7. The festivities will begin at 7 p.m. each night with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought at bigtickets.com or at the gate. Prices are $25 for adults and $15 for children. They take cash and credit cards.

“We are hoping this will be our biggest crowd ever,” Prawucki said. “It’s going to be huge.” 

The rodeo will have food trucks, vendors and more. Prawucki, president/CEO at Easterseals Middle Georgia, and Bill Hudson, owner of Double Creek Rodeo Company, enjoy bringing the rodeo action to this area. Those attending will have a chance to see bull riding, breakaway roping, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, bareback riding and barrel racing.

Those competing in this rodeo are fighting for a chance to compete in the final in early 2027 in Philadelphia, Miss.

What has amazed Prawucki is not just the number of people who attend but from where.

“We sold a lot of tickets last year,” he said. “We had one from as far away as Los Angeles, Calif. The outreach is pretty good.”

Not bad, especially since this rodeo was voted the best indoor arena rodeo in the Southeastern Professional Rodeo in 2025.

Friday night at the rodeo is known as Kid’s Night. A boys and girls bicycle will be given away. They will also have members from the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center attend. Saturday’s night will be Ladies Night.

“It is always a good time,” Prawucki said. 

This year’s specialty act will feature Cowboy Kenny and the Steel Rodeo. 

“He is a motorcycle stunt driver who likes to jump things,” Prawucki said. 

Georgia United Credit Union is the event’s title sponsor. 

The money from the rodeo is used to help the organization with transporting its clients. Prawucki said they gave about 17 thousand rides to get their people to and from work last year.

“Being in rural Georgia, there is no good way to get around if you don’t have a car,” he said. “It’s a service that we provide and (the rodeo) offsets a good part of it.” 

Easterseals has seven or eight vehicles in Dublin, three vehicles in Soperton and a van in Eastman. 

“We have a fleet of vehicles,” Prawucki said. “You have to have a driver, the upkeep and insurance. It’s quite the undertaking.” 

Easterseals provide vocational rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities. The organization creates jobs for clients either in house or by working with community partners.

“We try to find work for them and hopefully the employer will give them at least a part-time job,” Prawucki said.