The Blytheville City Council's Parks and Recreation Committee is discussing whether the city should allow a rodeo church event at Cypress Park next month.
The sticking point appears to be that Apostolic Lighthouse Church wants to charge a gate fee that all who enter the public park would have to pay.
"The only thing that bothers me is: are we shutting out some of our own people?" Councilwoman Shirley Overman said. "We've got to work that out because we don't want to do that. The (Blytheville) kids are going to have to have access to some part of it if they want to go over there and play.
"I think it's great to have something there, but we certainly have some issues that would have to be worked out."
Parks and Recreation chairman Councilman Monte Hodges said: "I don't think we're going to shut it off. I wouldn't agree to that." He said he would love to see the park gain some momentum, though.
It might be difficult to charge a gate fee, whether the city allows it or not. Officials could control the two McHaney entrances to the park, but the east side is wide open, Parks manager Robert Bailey said.
The gate fee would help offset some of the Steele church's cost to bring in Calvary Rodeo Productions, which charges $2,000 for the event.
"That's where we will get the biggest part of our money," said Blytheville resident Sonny Murphy, who represented the church at Thursday night's Parks and Recreation meeting. "I know we're not going to get enough sponsors to get that $2,000. We may be able to come up with $1,000 of it, but we would have to pick our money up here and there."
Murphy said that there would be a 15-minute devotional, Gospel singing and a rodeo.
He said there will be about 30 bulls, as well as sheep for the children and greasy pigs for them to catch. Also, the event would include a mechanical bull that patrons could ride for a fee.
"It's a church function, a fundraiser for our young people," Murphy said. "We're mostly doing this to draw kids in, to keep these kids off the streets."
He said it is his church's first time doing the event, but the rodeo has been successful in other places, enjoyed particularly by children. Calvary Rodeo Productions has a following from places like Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee and draws people from miles around, Murphy said.
If approved, the event will begin setting up early in the morning on April 8 and last until about midnight.
Responding to a question from Overman, Murphy said the rodeo has a $1 million insurance policy and his church has a $500,000 insurance policy.
Overman suggested the city get a copy of the insurance and draw up a contract with the church that spells out all stipulations.
Bailey noted the Police Department has given its stamp of approval.
However, unless the city changes the rules, Bailey said, the church could charge a gate fee to enter a specific area of the park, but not at the entrance because it is a public park.
"I would like to see this happen at Cypress," Bailey said. "We've been wanting projects down there for so long."
Murphy also expressed an interest in holding other events at the park, such as a trail ride and barbecue for the 40 or 50 rides who participate.
Bailey said Blytheville resident O.D. Bailey would get the first option to hold an event at the park because he told the committee last year that he wanted basketball and softball programs there.
Also Thursday night, the committee:
-- Heard from Hodges that the area on 21st and McHaney streets, appearing to be a small park, is not owned by the city.
-- Heard from Hodges that Mike Huffman, who is retiring from Farmers Bank, wants to work with underprivileged children at the Ninth Street ball park. Huffman, a longtime coach who oversaw the local American Legion program for years, is trying to recruit about 15 kids to teach them baseball skills.
-- Heard from Main Street Blytheville director Matt Perkins, who anticipates the first phase of the Greyhound Bus Station will be ready before Mayfest, which is May 7. He hopes the first displays will be completed in late April. The Friday night music for Mayfest will be at the bus station. The bus station will be a museum/welcome center. He said everything is going smoothly.
-- Heard from Delta Gateway Museum director Leslie Hester. She said as part of Arkansas Archeology Month, the museum, in conjunction with the Arkansas Archaeological station, will have an Artifact ID Day, Saturday, March 26 from 1-3 p.m. An archaeologist will try to identify individuals prehistoric and historic objects at their requests.
-- Heard from Eric Miles, president of the Blytheville Area Soccer Association. The soccer season will be from Sept. 17 to Nov. 12.
-- Heard from Robert Bailey that about 30 prisoners cleaned up Walker Park recently, filling up 1,200 bags of leaves.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com