Bull-A-Rama benefits Polson man
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POLSON — The news that Polson Police Officer William Cleveland had been diagnosed with incurable cancer of the esophagus, lymph nodes in his back, lungs and liver saddened many people who knew Cleveland.
But Payton Fitzpatrick, a good friend of Will’s son Dave and very close to the entire Cleveland family, had a plan to take some financial pressure off family. He approached his mom Elisha about holding a benefit for Will, with all the proceeds to go towards Will’s medical expenses and chemotherapy.
Payton knew Will loves to watch bull riding. Since Both Payton and his brother Grey are bull riders, Payton immediately thought about a Bull-A-Rama as Will’s fundraiser.
“Payton was so passionate about it, I just had to help him,” Elisha explained.
The Bull-A-Rama, a rodeo just for bull riders, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Polson Fairgrounds.
Admission will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 years and younger.
The sport is very popular, Elisha said. Groups such as Professional Bull Riders and Elite Professional Bullriders often have televised events.
With the success of the recent Flathead River Rodeo, a tour rodeo for the Indian National Finals, Payton and Elisha knew it was possible to draw a big crowd and, hopefully, lots of cowboys.
Payton’s job was to line up the stock contractors, judges, the pick-up guys and the barrel man and bullfighters. Pistol Creek Rodeo Company and Hendrickson Bucking Bulls are bringing the bulls, and they gave Payton a break on the price. The bullfighters, long time friends of the Fitzpatrick boys, are coming from Kalispell. Local Farm Bureau Insurance agent Trevor Motichka is judging. Jesse Johnson and James Irish will be the pick-up men.
The Polson Fairgrounds Inc. has been incredibly generous. Not only did the PFI agree to donate the gate money and all the funds raised at the concession stands to Will’s benefit, the PFI didn’t charge for the use of the arena. To raise additional funds for Will, the PFI paid “Cleaning for a Cause” — what Peyton, Grey and helpful friends call themselves — to neaten up stalls after the Wrangler team roping at the PFI and muck out stalls after the Flathead River Rodeo.
Pepsi and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center are the two major sponsors of the event, adding money to the bullriding purse.
With a 50/50, a silent auction, full concession stand and beer garden plus mini-bull riding and good bull riding — with $4,000 added to the purse — the event will be a chance for the community to show their support for Will Cleveland.
“He is super nice. Everybody in town just loves him,” Elisha said.
The crew from the Polson Police Department plans to attend, according to Joan Hart, Polson city court and police clerk.
For more information on the benefit including silent auction items, go to William Cleveland Benefit Bull-A-Rama on Facebook.
