A free bike rodeo for area youngsters will take place from 9 to 11 a.m., at the downtown Saturday arts and crafts show, according to Rick Skillier, Bluffton police chief.

The rodeo will take place on Church Street between Main and the alley behind Citizens National Bank. The rodeo is free and open to all youth. Hope Hannah, Bluffton police officer, will be at the rodeo, assisting youth.

Young bikers will perform the following tasks at the rodeo:
• Circling riding
• Maneuvering
• Steering
• Turns and signals
• Balancing at slow speed
• Brakes

Also on Church Street during the rodeo will be an EMS ambulance, police cruiser and fire truck for youth to explore.

Youth who participate in the rodeo will receive a certificate stating they participated.
Separate from the bike rodeo, Bluffton Hospital will be giving away three bikes in a raffle at 11:30 a.m.The raffle is part of the health fair on Cherry Street. Given away are one 12-inch, one 16-inch and one 20-inch bike. The bikes are purchased from CG Pro Bikes, Columbus Grove.

Adults are required to sign up for their children. Entries are limited to one per household. Signups take place at the Bluffton Hospital booth in front of the Bluffton town hall.

Two attachments at the bottom of this story explain what takes place at the bike rodeo.