Grab your cowboy hat, slip into your best boots and get ready for a good time at the Fourth Annual Boots, BBQ and Boogie scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at the historic Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa.
The fundraising dinner and auction benefiting the Rogers State University Bit by Bit Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program will feature a barbeque dinner catered by Black Jaxx BBQ in Oologah, unique silent and live auction items, and live music from Paul Bogart’s Western Band.
Travis Meyer, meteorologist with KOTV Channel 6, will return as the event’s emcee. Jack Bogart will serve as the auctioneer for the event.
Boots, BBQ & Boogie will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Cain’s Ballroom, located in downtown Tulsa at 423 N. Main St. Tickets for the event are $50 per person.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Bit by Bit and the operation of the new RSU Equestrian Center, which houses the therapeutic horseback riding program serving children and adults with disabilities. The equestrian center is located five miles south of Oologah and two miles north of Collinsville on U.S. Highway 169.
Bit by Bit is a cooperative program between RSU and Oologah-Talala Public Schools to promote physical and mental health for children and adults with disabilities through horseback riding. One of 12 certified equine therapy centers in the state, Bit By Bit is the only certified program in the state directly affiliated with a university. The highly-regarded program provides riding sessions and other therapeutic interactions with the horses help improve balance, walking, language and cognitive skills for participating clients. The program serves more than 100 children and adults and has a waiting list for its services. During its history, the program has served more than 1,000 children and adults across Oklahoma.
While the auction list is being finalized, event organizers said items up for bid should include autographed memorabilia, sporting event tickets, jewelry, art and other unique items.
Presenting sponsors for the Boots, BBQ and Boogie event are the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Overhead Door Co. of Tulsa, Inc., and Will Rogers Masonic Lodge No. 53. Other major sponsors include, at the Roper Level, the Hille Foundation; Rustlers Level, Oxley Foundation and two anonymous donors; and the Spurs Level, Linda and Brad Barron, Burnside and Associates Environmental Inspections, Sam’s Club, Shipman Veterinary Services and Ken Ray Underwood, attorney.
Leslie Westfall and Scott Epperson are the event co-chairs and the planning committee includes Velinda Baker, Linda Barron, Sheila Bond, Martha King-Clark, Ingrid Lobaugh, Tracy Morgan, Joleta Spurlock, Pam Switala, Michelle Tussey and Stephany Foutch.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the Bit by Bit office at (918) 371 1750.