It’s time once again for another long-running rodeo to return to Catoosa County.

Doug Yates and his family will host the 6th annual National Cowboy’s Association St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Rodeo, Aug. 7-11, at the Yates Farm on Ga. 151, southwest of Ringgold.

As always, proceeds from the event go directly to 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 this year to bring in even more revenue.

“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.

Everyone who purchases a ticket is donating to St. Jude. We know if we give them $1 they’ll use it.”

Yates said his ultimate goal each year has been to make the event, “bigger and better.”

“This is their rodeo,” he said. “The St. Jude kids. We want it to be something they can talk about the whole year.”

The rodeo will begin at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, with barrel racing on Sunday at 3 p.m. Gates open two hours in advance for all shows. Ticket prices are $5 for children ages 6-12, and $10 for adults.

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

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 hospital’s patients are very thankful for people like Yates. The average cost for standard leukemia treatment is $250,000, Deal said.

“Events like this are so important to the hospital,” he 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.”

More than 170 children from the Chattanooga area are currently active patients at St. Jude, Deal said, adding that 36 North Georgia patients, and 500 from the metro Chattanooga area have benefited from St. Jude since the hospital opened