They will be given the hats to wear, the horses to ride and the steers to rope — all they need to bring is a hearty “yee-haw.” Thanks to the dozens of volunteers who make it possible each year, more than 200 special needs children and adults will be transformed into true country folk at the annual Exceptional Rodeo on Sunday.

Starting out the first year with just eight participants, the program is in its 14th year and grows immensely in popularity and attendance each year, event organizer Jackee Ford said. “We realized that there was not a lot to do 14 years ago for special needs people. We thought it would be something fun,” she said of the rodeo’s inception.

Participants of all ages join cowboys and cowgirls who volunteer their time, roping and riding expertise, and their own horses, along with horses donated by Heart of the Redwoods Horse Rescue. Starting at 11 a.m. at the fair’s rodeo grounds, participants will don western wear donated by Carl Johnson Co. — cowboy hats, bandanas and ropes — and partake in events aimed to give them a true Wild West experience.

Games and activities like roping a stationary steer and riding a “bucking barrel” delight the inner cowboy in participants like Christopher Lima, now 11, who has been going “ever since he could sit up by himself,” his mother Claudia said. “It’s great because the cowboys all volunteer their horses and their time, and the ropers all come out and help the kids learn to rope, and they all get to ride a horse,” Claudia said. “Christopher loves it.”

The event is sponsored by RAO Construction, Carl Johnson Co., Redwood Broadcasting, Fort Baker Ranch, Humboldt Sponsors, Green Diamond/ California Redwood Co. and Toni’s Restaurant. Claudia pointed out that it is the generosity of the sponsors and volunteers who truly make the event exceptional. “The cowboys are from around here and are usually participants from the rodeo. It’s so neat and it just makes those kids’ day.” Claudia said on that day, as far as the participants are concerned, “They are cowboys.”

Fair manager Larry Ford said the event has been so successful that it earned the Merrill Award from the Western Fairs Association in 2004 for “recognition of superior achievement in fair operations and communications.”

“We have participants from 5 or 6 to 55,” he said. “It’s been really great.”

Entry forms are available online at www.redwoodacres.com/rodeo.htm, or by phoning the fair office at 707-445-3037. Late sign-ups will be accepted at the event and gate admission is free for participants and one companion.