This year’s commemorative T-shirt for the upcoming Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo is a hoot.

Former Disney artist Don Howard of Huntsville drew the art for the shirt. It features bobble-head-style caricatures of five sheriff’s department employees — Sheriff Mike Blakely riding a bull, Chief Deputy Randy King riding a bucking bronco, Lt. Tammy Waddell barrel racing, Lt. Allen Craig dressed as a clown and stuck in a barrel, and Patrol Capt. Fred Sloss wrestling a steer.

“One of our annual traditions is a new design for our T-shirts each year,” said Information Technology Director Paul Cain. “This year, Howard was contacted by Sheriff Blakely and asked to create something different than we have had in the past. He completed a most unique caricature. … We hope you and our special needs participants will enjoy the new design.”

While the shirt is unique and should help raise money for the rodeo this year, some say the Blakely on the shirt doesn’t capture the Blakely they know. Images of the other employees, most agree, are right on the money.

The shirts are available at the sheriff’s office on Elm Street; $15 for adult sizes and $10 for children’s sizes.

The 33rd annual rodeo — the largest outdoor rodeo east of the Mississippi River — is scheduled for May 15 and 16 at the rodeo arena off Alabama 99. A week of events precedes the rodeo starting Saturday, May 9, with the Grand Marshal’s Rodeo Parade. The parade begins at 2 p.m. starting at the rodeo arena. (See today’s Limestone Ledger on page 5 or Sunday’s edition of The News Courier for more on rodeo events.)

Proceeds from the rodeo help pay for Sheriff’s Office equipment, including 34 patrol cars over the past 32 years, training and helicopter expenses. The success of the annual rodeo also resulted in the purchase of the arena grounds and all of its facilities, which the public uses for various civic functions throughout the year.

Proceeds from the rodeo help pay for Sheriff’s Office equipment, including 34 patrol cars over the past 32 years, training and helicopter expenses. The success of the annual rodeo also resulted in the purchase of the arena grounds and all of its facilities, which the public uses for various civic functions throughout the year.