Bull riding Saturday to raise money for family of slain deputy Carl Howell
Submitted by editor on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 1:57pm
Manuel Souza is bringing back his Smackdown Bull Riding tour to Carson City on Saturday — this time as a fundraiser for Deputy Carl Howell, who was killed in the line of duty Aug. 15.
“I think it’s the right thing for us to do as people,” said Souza, who is working in cooperation with the Carson City Sheriff’s Deputy Association. “Police officers do a thankless job. But they’re always there when you need them, aren’t they? I think it’s important we do this.”
Howell, a Carson City Sheriff’s deputy for nine years, was shot and killed while responding to a domestic battery Aug. 15. He leaves behind a wife and four children.
The Howell Memorial Smackdown will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Kids are $10. All proceeds will go to the Howell’s family.
Souza said it will cost around $8,500 to put on the event, and is hoping businesses will pledge sponsorships to take care of that cost.
Anything raised over that amount, he said, will go the family.
“I’m not interested in making $1 off of this,” he said. “Our goal is get enough sponsors so that 100 percent of the ticket sales go to the family.”
Souza, who has been producing bull riding events in Carson City for the past three years, said he wanted to help as soon as he learned about the shooting.
“We built this tour beyond my wildest dreams,” he said. “We’ve gotten tremendous support from this community. It’s important that we give back.
“I heard Carl and his wife enjoyed coming to our shows. I want to do this for them. For his kids.”
The show will feature bulls and broncs, as well as mutton busting and steer riding for the kids.
“I think it’s going to go really well,” Souza said. “I think it’s going to be an outstanding event.”
He said L. Lance Gilman Real Estate has committed $2,000 to the event and is collecting sponsorships from other businesses.
He’s confident the community will come out to the event as well.
“It’s a really good way for the ordinary person to support the Howell family,” he said.
If you go
WHAT: Howell Memorial Smackdown Bull Riding
WHEN: 3 p.m. Oct. 10
WHERE: Fuji Park Fairgrounds
TICKETS: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. Children are $10. Purchase them at Casino Fandango, 3800 S. Carson St.; Benson’s Feed, 2750 Highway 50 E.; Carson City Visitors Bureau, 716 N. Carson St.; online at visitcarsoncity.com or on the Visit Carson City app.
SPONSOR: To sponsor the show, call Manuel Souza at (209) 347-7305.
Meanwhile early Saturday is another fundraiser. Bikes for Badges, BTLS Foundation presents a motorcycle charity run for the Howell family beginning at the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, 911 East Musser Street. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. with Kick-Stands up at 10:45 a.m. The run will proceed to Chester’s Reno Harley-Davidson, 2315 Market Street. There will be an after-party at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Reno.
Pre-registration is online at www.btlsfoundation.org. Pre-registration is $20 per person and $25 on Saturday. Registration includes lunch provided by Famous Daves BBQ.
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