- May 8, 2024
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Bull fighter Micah Avera faces a bull after distracting him from a rider at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
It's just another day at the office, bull fighter Micah Avera said after getting launched in the air trying to protect a rider at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Behind the scenes during junior bull riding at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Breakaway roping is a popular event for all ages at Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
There were plenty of children's events at Cracker Day including pig and chicken chasing. Phot by Michele Meyers
The steer ends up getting the better of the men's steer saddling team and eventually runs off with the saddle. Photo by Michele Meyers
One team member ropes the calf while the other one runs and grabs the ribbon off of the calf's tail during the ribbon roping event. Photo by Michele Meyers
Tucker Greenfield waves to the crowd after he wins the mutton busting event at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mutton busting is one of the crowd favorites at the 66th annual Cracker Day held at the Flagler County Fairgrounds. Photo by Michele Meyers
Kids eight and under tried riding sheep in the mutton busting event at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Austin McCray proposes to Destinee Heard during the sack race at the 66th annual Cracker Day held at the Flagler County Fairgrounds. Photo by Michele Meyers
Austin McCray proposes to Destinee Heard during the sack race at the 66th annual Cracker Day held at the Flagler County Fairgrounds. Photo by Michele Meyers
The bulls won the junior bull riding event. There were no riders who rode for six seconds at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Kids 12 and under particiapte in the pig chase at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
There were plenty of children's events at Cracker Day including pig and chicken chasing. Phot by Michele Meyers
Tajah Thomas and Alyssa Roberts win the buddy pick-up and the sack race events at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
One of the highlight events at Cracker Day is the senior bull riding for anyone 17 years old and over. Photo by Michele Meyers
One of the highlight events at Cracker Day is the senior bull riding for anyone 17 years old and over. Photo by Michele Meyers
Senior bull rider Carlos Garcia is tossed around by the bull during the event at Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Layton Stevens wins the senior bull riding event at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Bull fighter Micah Avera pushes rider Layton Stevens out of the way as he faces the bull. Photo by Michele Meyers
One of the highlight events at Cracker Day is the senior bull riding for anyone 17 years old and over. Photo by Michele Meyers
Bull fighter Micah Avera faces a bull after distracting him from a rider at the 66th annual Cracker Day. Photo by Michele Meyers
Barrel racer Kylie Simmons is lead by her mom during the 66th annual Cracker Day at the Flagler County Fairgrounds. Photo by Michele Meyers
Barrel racer Ruby Harris tears through the second barrel during the 66th annual Cracker Day at the Flagler County Fairgrounds. Photo by Michele Meyers
Madi Godwin from Elkton rides JJ in the barrel race at the 66th annual Cracker Days. Photo by Michele Meyers
Cheers rang out in the rodeo arena as the calf riders got ready to face the fierce bulls-in-the-making. The excitement of the day was palpable as the calves prevailed amid tears and laughter.
The crowd had gathered at the Flagler County Fairgrounds for the 66th annual Cracker Day to enjoy family, some good old-fashioned competition and a barbecue dinner provided by the sponsor — the Flagler County Cattlemen’s Association.
According to the association, the first Flagler County Cracker Day was held in the early 1940s and was the first in Florida history. It was a day of games which included sack and horse races, barrel racing and pole bending.
In 1952, Flagler County Cattlemen’s Association President Rob Deen and Secretary Lyman Gage hosted a barbecue for families and friends living in Flagler, Volusia and Putnam Counties. It has remained a cornerstone of the event ever since.
Today, the feast is prepared by Randy Buckles and his crew, who cook 3,500 to 4,000 pounds of beef the night before the event. The day of the event, the meat is sliced and served with coleslaw, baked beans, bread and a drink.
The day includes Rough Rider games first thing in the morning, followed by a rodeo at noon which includes junior and senior bull riding, break-away roping, steer saddling, ribbon roping, chute dogging, mutton busting, sack racing, buddy pick-up, barrel racing and kids activities — chicken chase, pig chase and boot races.
Eighteen-year-old Madi Godwin has been riding horses since she was 6 years old and has been barrel racing for two years. This was her first rodeo.
“My horse really didn’t want to go to the second barrel,” she said. “He knows barrels, he’s just stubborn. I actually had fun. I’m really glad I wasn’t as nervous as I used to be.”
The Flagler County Cattlemen’s Association sponsors the annual Cracker Day to provide an enjoyable family-friendly day for all.
