Published: April 23, 2008 04:34 pm      

Celebrities lend star power to CAC by attending events

All kinds of cowboys, musicians to attend

By Monica Green

features@trcle.com



Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek will serve as keynote speaker Friday at the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Roping the Stars dinner. Professional rodeo announcer Charlie Throckmorton will serve as emcee at the dinner and rodeo announcer at the professional bull riding event Saturday.

“I think it broadens your horizon as you go down there to the CAC and the center and really learn what it’s all about,” Throckmorton said. “ I’ve done lots of charities, and this is probably my favorite because I really get to see the end result of what this wonderful organization has done for the children. This is the only way we can really help. Each and every one of us can help and do it in our own way.”

Throckmorton said his favorite part of the weekend is “the smiling faces on children.”

“Champion cowboys never stood so tall as to reach down and help a child,” he said. “That’s the reason we do it.”

Also attending and competing are Cleburne country singer Sonny Burgess and professional bull rider Chad Eubank.

“Chad has donated two packages [for the auction] that are pretty phenomenal: his gear from being on ‘Toughest Cowboy’ and [from] his rodeo career,” said Tammy King, executive director of the CAC. “He also donated items he got from Hannah Montana herself.”

Other celebrities involved with the rodeo events and benefit include Brian Doty, Byron Walker, Debbie Garrison, Alex Cord, Robert Fuller, Jennifer Savidge, Barry Corbin, Ty O’Neal and Ted Nuce.

Cowboys competing in the rodeo include Cody Hart, Luke Haught, Larry Mahan, Shane Proctor and Roy Cooper.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. at the Norris Ranch near Keene. The event will include dinner and an auction.

The PBR event, celebrity team roping and wild steer saddling activities begin at 7 p.m. with an autograph signing.

Tickets for the rodeo are $8 for children ages 5 to 10 and seniors 65 and older and $10 for attendees ages 11 to 64 years.

Tickets for all of the events can be purchased at the Burleson and Cleburne chamber of commerce offices, the Johnson County Sheriff’s office, the CAC office, the First National Bank of Burleson and all Pinnacle Bank locations.