SEQUIM — After a six-year hiatus, Margaret Witt is bringing back the Wheelchair Rodeo to Sequim’s “Make a Difference Day” on Saturday, Oct. 22.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Clallam County Fire District No. 3 fire station, 323 N. Fifth Ave.
“It’s intended to bring awareness to the disabled,” said Witt, 88, who is not wheelchair-bound but knows how it feels after taking care of her disabled husband, Howard, for 20 years.
He suffered from advanced rheumatoid arthritis before he died five years ago.
Witt said because she suspended her involvement after her husband died, so went the wheelchair rodeo.
Now that she had decided to bring it back, Witt said she is looking for participants from all over the North Olympic Peninsula.
Phone her at 360-683-3091 to sign up for the special event.
Formerly called the Hot Wheelers Rodeo, it will be an obstacle-course competition and drag race along with food and prizes, Witt said.
The rodeo is held not only to have a lot of fun but also to call attention to the transportation problems the physically challenged have.
Owners of scooters, power chairs and standard push wheelchairs will pilot them through an obstacle course in the fire station’s parking lot — and compete against each other in drag races.
Local businesses and organizations are donating food and prizes for winners.
Witt said the Wheelchair Rodeo is done in conjunction with Oct. 22’s Make a Difference Day, “the national day of doing good” in which residents give back by participating in volunteer projects.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.