Amris’s Extreme Bull Jam will be held this weekend, Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.
The second annual rodeo will take place at the H3 Arena located at 5400 Charlotte Road, just off Tyre Bridge Road north of Patterson.
General admission tickets are $25 at the gate and $20 online. Kids six and under are admitted free. The rodeo will be held rain or shine and there will be no refunds. Cash only at the gate.
The activities featured will include professional bull riding, mini bull riding and professional free style bull fighting.
The event is brought to you by local professional Rodeo clown, entertainer and cowboy, Colt Hartt of Patterson, better known as Colt 45.
Proceeds will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.
The rodeo is held in memory of Amris Bedford, who battled cancer and was treated at St. Jude until she passed away in 2021 at the age of 10.
“It has always been on my heart to figure out a way that I could “help” others, or “give back” to those in need,” Hartt said.
Hartt related how he worked an IRPA Rodeo in Memphis, TN in July, 2019. The rodeo crew went on a tour and made a visit at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital while they were there.
“It was amazing! To see it for yourself with your own eyes and pass by the patients and their families was surreal,” Hartt said. “Within moments of being there, we could all feel the importance of this amazing facility and the good that comes from it! We learned a lot that day about Mr. Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children’s Hospital and how special it really is.”
While on the tour Hartt received a notification from a good friend back home, Trey Walker, telling him that Walker’s niece, Amris, and family were at St. Jude Hospital at that very moment.
“Amris and the Bedford family came down to meet me and my cowboy crew,” he said. “They came down and we took pictures and visited, and cried and laughed, and hugged necks until we had to leave.”
Hartt invited the Bedfords to the rodeo and they came.
“I don’t think Amris would have had it any other way! She always had the heart of a cowgirl, and she wasn’t about to miss Colt .45 and the rodeo. We had a ball! We rode ponies and took photos by the bucking bulls. I gave them a backstage tour of professional rodeo,” said.
Hartt related that while he was out clowning and “doing his thing” he would glance over to see Amris and the Bedfords.
“They were all just glowing. The whole family was smiling and watching with full focus. It was at that moment that I realized that they had taken their minds off of everything they had going on for just a moment to enjoy this rodeo. Seeing the smile, not only Amris’ face, but those of her family as well, made me realize just how precious life is and how it is totally out of our hands and all in God’s hands. We all parted ways that day but never left each other’s hearts.”
Hartt said as he drove home that weekend he had a vision to turn in to a reality.
“I determined to do a St. Jude Benefit Event using my love and passion for rodeo to raise funds for the children’s hospital,” he said.
Amris’ Extreme Bull Jam came to be that night.
Attendance topped 2,000 each night at the inaugural event last year.
“This event is unlike any other one that you will ever attend. It is 100% for the Children of St. Jude in honor of Amris Bedford and family,” said Hartt. “It is professionally ran and I plan on hosting this event as long as I am alive and God will allow. Amris’ Extreme Bull Jam is special to me and I would love for it to be just as special to you.”
Volunteers are needed to help with the Bull Jam.
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
“A big thanks to all of our supporters,” Hartt said. “We could not do it without you.”
For more information, call 286-6243.
