MARSHALL — You don’t have to be a cowboy to enjoy the events planned at the Lyon County fairgrounds this weekend. A full day’s schedule, from a barrel racing competition to a pork roast and auctions, will be going on Saturday to benefit rural Marshall resident Bob Viaene, as he recovers from spinal injuries.

“It’s all of the things Bob loves to do,” Shari (Schultz) Prause, Viaene’s niece, said of the events. “Bob is an avid barrel racer, and has been for a long time.”

Family members and friends have come together to organize the “Rocking and Rolling” benefit for Bob on Saturday, July 27.

Viaene’s life changed in an instant this past November, when he suffered a fall from a tree stand, family members said. Viaene was flown to Sioux Falls, where he underwent surgery to repair four of his vertebrae, and remove hematomas on his spinal cord. Viaene spent seven weeks in intensive care, and eight weeks in the Madonna Rehab Hospital. This week, Viaene was back in the hospital, Prause said.

“It’s a lot to take in,” she said. When Viaene was able to be back home, he was learning a new way of life in a wheelchair, while still figuring out a way to help with his family, farm and his horses.

“We are still unsure of the future, yet he is continuing to fight to get better,” benefit organizers said in a press release.

Prause said the Rocking & Rolling benefit got its start when members of the area horse community wanted to do something for Viaene. From there, “It kind of just kept growing,” Prause said. A one-day barrel racing competition will be held at the fairgrounds, starting with youth events around 9 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served during the competition, and a silent auction will also be going on from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizers said Vikings fans will find something for them at the auction, with items like a signed football from Adam Thielen and TJ Hokanson, and a signed jersey from Danielle Hunter.

A free-will donation hog roast dinner will start at 5 p.m., followed by a live auction featuring a Justin Jefferson signed jersey, and baked goods that are Viaene family favorites. Prause said some of the goodies include Belgian cookies made on the family cookie iron.

“It’s not just for people that ride horses,” Prause said of the benefit. “Anybody is welcome.” It’s also been fun to see the community come together to organize the benefit.

Prause said Viaene and his family were hopeful that he still might get to attend part of the benefit.