It’s the time of the year for another rodeo in Catoosa County.

Doug Yates and his family will again host the 5th annual National Cowboy’s Association St. Jude Children’s Research

Hospital Rodeo, Aug. 8-11, at the Yates Farm on Ga. 151 southwest of Ringgold.

The funds raised from the rodeo will again be sent to the Danny Thomas St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis to support area children who need treatment.



Yates said the rodeo raised more than $46,000 for the hospital last year and he has set a goal to bring in more revenue this year.

“Anybody who has a heart and has seen one of the St. Jude television programs wants to reach out to those kids,”

Yates said. “That’s what we’re trying to do with the rodeo.”

The rodeo will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and the Sunday matinee will begin at 4 p.m.. Gates will open two hours in advance to all shows. Ticket prices are $5 for children ages 6-12, and $10 for adults.

Yates said the NCA rodeo contestants will compete in the bucking-bronco, cattle roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull-riding events.

“The children who attend the rodeo feel special no matter how sick they may be,” Yates said. “This is their rodeo. We do it for them, and because we know if we give St. Jude $1 they’ll use it.”

The St. Jude Hospital was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962 and has treated more than 17,000 patients.

Chattanooga Area St. Jude associate director Phil Deal said the patients were very thankful for people like Yates.

The average cost for standard leukemia treatment is $250,000, he said.

“Events like this are so important to the hospital,” Deal said. “We’re very grateful to our generous sponsors like the Yates family, the planning committee, and all the people who attend the event each year.”

Deal said more than 170 children from the Chattanooga area are currently active patients at the St. Jude Hospital.

According to Deal, there are 36 patents in north Georgia who have benefited from St. Jude since the hospital opened.

He said 500 have been assisted from Chattanooga.

Robin Caudill is a parent of a child treated at St. Jude’s and appreciates the efforts of people like the Yates.

“You never realize how much help the hospital can be until you’re in need yourself,” Caudill said. “It’s really great to see what people do to help St. Jude patients.