Ropes and Reins: IPRA Rodeo Returns to Fairgrounds Sept. 1-3 
A cowboy works with bulls during a previous rodeo at the Cumming Fairgrounds. 
Get ready for a rootin', tootin' good time at the Cumming Fairgrounds this Labor Day weekend. 

The IPRA World Championship Rodeo returns at 8 p.m. Sept. 1, and continues at 8 p.m. Sept. 2 and at 7 p.m. Sept. 3. Tickets go on sale two hours before the start time each night, and are $15 for adults, $10 for children age 5-12 and seniors 65 and over, and free for children age 4 and under. 
Carrying a flag, a cowboy takes part in a previous rodeo's opening ceremony. 
 
With plenty of fast-paced and family-friendly fun, the rodeo is a great outing for all ages. Cumming Fairgrounds Director Dave Horton calls the annual event one of his favorites. "You really can't beat the level of entertainment you get for the cost," Horton said. "For about what you would pay to go see a movie, you get so much more." 

Barring a lack of competitors, the rodeo offers eight different classic competitions each night: Bull Riding; Bare Back Riding; Barrel Racing; Cowgirl Breakaway Roping; Calf Roping; Steer Wrestling; Team Roping; and Saddle Bronc Riding. There's also a patriotic opening ceremony, and special acts including comedic clowns and other entertainers. 

For more information about the IPRA World Championship Rodeo, click here. 

Did you know? Providing bleacher seating for more than 3,000 people with a full view of all the action inside, the Fairgrounds' covered arena is the perfect venue for numerous types of events. 
American Red Cross Holds City of Cumming Blood Drive 
The American Red Cross will hold a City of Cumming Blood Drive on Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Castleberry Building, located behind the Cumming Police Station at 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. 

The blood drive is open to City of Cumming employees and the community at large. To schedule a time to donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or click here and under "Find a Blood Drive" enter sponsor code: CityofCumming. 

Those donating should drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids, eat iron-rich foods and get a good night's rest prior to giving. Currently, a Red Cross blood shortage threatens to delay critical blood transfusions for patients in need. As a blood donor, you can make a difference! 
Council Approves Sponsorship of Immersive Educational Experience for Middle School Students 
Cumming City Council opened their August meeting with a briefing from representatives of Forsyth County Schools regarding the creation of a Junior Achievement (JA) Discovery Center on the site of the Alliance Academy for Innovation of Cumming-Forsyth County, which is currently being constructed on Lanier 400 Parkway. 

Dr. Valery Lowe and Fonda Harrison explained that the JA Discovery Center will be constructed adjacent to the Alliance Academy, a non-traditional high school that will serve about 1,200 students with a focus on five career interest pathways. The high school is slated to open in August of 2018. 

The JA Discovery Center at North Georgia will feature a unique concept that teaches middle school students about business and finance through a real-world, immersive experience. After 12 weeks of in-classroom lessons, middle school students will visit the Discovery Center at North Georgia to participate in completely immersive, hands-on simulations that allow them to take on various challenges such as running a business, being a professional member of the community, serving as an elected official, and performing everyday tasks such as budgeting, saving, spending and investing. 

The JA Discovery Center at North Georgia will be open to middle school students in Forsyth, Dawson, Hall and Lumpkin counties, and will be the third Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Georgia. The other two centers are located in Atlanta and Gwinnett County. 

Lowe noted that the Discovery Center at North Georgia - which is primarily being funded through a generous donation by long-time supporters of the University of North Georgia, Mike and Lynn Cottrell - is seeking local governments and businesses to become "storefront sponsors" in areas such as banking, housing, transportation, retail, utilities, communications, education, philanthropy, entertainment, and healthcare. 

"We hope that area businesses will consider storefront sponsorships in the JA Discovery Center because investing in our youth today will provide the professionals that businesses will need tomorrow, and help these young people develop into responsible, civic-minded citizens," Lowe said. 

Following the presentation, Council voted unanimously to sponsor the JA Discovery Center at North Georgia, with the specific sponsorship level to be determined at a later Council meeting. 

For more information about Junior Achievement Discovery Centers, click here. 


In other business during the August meeting, City Council: 

  • Approved an air conditioning unit for the Cumming Aquatic Center's multipurpose room, which is used for staff training, meetings, and other needs. Council approved the low bid from Reliance Heating and Air. 
  • Approved a release and settlement agreement concerning a sewer easement near the Goodwill store located on Hwy. 9. 
  • Awarded the low bid, submitted by Stickland and Sons, to install a 36-inch waterline along West Webb Street, and approved advertising for bids for Webb Drive Phase II, which will include installation of the 36-inch waterline from Webb Drive to the 306 Connector. 
  • Approved purchases of a commercial pressure washer and a straw blower from low bidder Lost Mountain Power Equipment. These items will be used by Cumming Utilities' Collection and Distribution Division.
  • Approved purchase of replacement and backup weapons and holsters for the Cumming Police Department from Smyrna Police Distributors. Old service weapons will be traded in to receive a discount on the new weapons. 
  • Denied an annexation and rezoning request from Forsyth Physicians Center, following a public hearing, because the annexation would not conform with state annexation law. 
 
Click here for meeting videos.  
Coming Soon
 
To the Cumming Playhouse
  • "Frances Mooney and Fontanna Sunset 2017" - Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. 
  • "Forever Ray: Ray Charles Tribute" - Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. 
 
To the Cumming Fairgrounds
  • IPRA World Championship Rodeo - Sept. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m., Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. 
  • Cumming Farmers' Market - Saturdays and Wednesdays from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or until vendors sell out) through Sept. 30 in Parking Lot #3.  
     

Holiday Closures and Hours
  • All City of Cumming facilities and departments, except the Police Department and Cumming Aquatic Center, will be closed Monday, Sept. 4 for Labor Day.
  • Cumming Aquatic Center will be open 1-6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4 (this is the last day of the year the outdoor leisure pool will be open). 
Meetings
  • Planning & Zoning Board - 5 p.m. Sept. 19
  • City Council - 6 p.m. Sept. 19.
All meetings are open to the public and held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Main Street. For all meetings after 5 p.m., please enter through the rear parking lot entrance. Click here for previous meeting videos. 

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! 

 

Sincerely,   
City of Cumming
Division of Public Information