BOWDEN — There are a few changes in this year’s edition of the annual Bowden Daze Pro Rodeo.
The event, organized by the Bowden & District Agricultural Society and sponsored by the town of Bowden, takes place at the agricultural grounds July 14-16 this year.
As the Albertan reported earlier, this will be the first time ever that a Bowden Daze Rodeo Queen will be crowned. She will be crowned on the first day of the rodeo.
Four ladies are competing for that honour: Hailey Milligan, Tyler Jamieson, Ashley Gillespie and Rae-Lynn Dixon.
Also on July 14, the rodeo itself gets underway at 6:30 p.m. with sheep riding as well as the regular rodeo events.
Later in the evening, a cabaret will be held, featuring Sean Gristwood.
On Saturday, July 15, activities begin with a pancake breakfast in town from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The annual parade through the community begins at 11 a.m.
Action at the agricultural grounds kicks off earlier than before; 4 p.m. to be exact, with sheep riding and a wild pony race. A petting zoo will also be set up.
Entertainment for Saturday’s cabaret will be provided by Brayden King.
During an interview, Bowden & District Agricultural Society president Keith Bailey conceded there’s a fair gap of time between the parade and when the action gets underway at the agricultural grounds on Saturday.
“Yeah, there's a little bit of a gap there, but there's a market in Bowden and there's the ball tournament on at the ball diamonds. So there's a few things around in town to do and see,” he said.
On Sunday, July 16, a junior rodeo for kids 12 and under will be held, starting at 12 noon at the agricultural grounds.
Bailey is pleased to have a rodeo queen contest this year.
"We were approached about having a queen program last winter and then we thought it was a really good idea,” he said.
"We have some pretty experienced people in the queening world now on the board and they've done a really good job of heading it up. We're excited about Bowden Daze rodeo queens this year.
"They've gone through a fashion show. They've gone through public speaking, they've gone through horsemanship, they've gone through personal interviews. And then they did a test last week on the on the rodeo and the town of Bowden.
“Now it's just tally and all the points and Friday evening at the rodeo at intermission we'll crown our first-ever Bowden Daze Pro Rodeo Queen."
Bailey said the sheep riding and other activities on Saturday were moved to an earlier start time to accommodate kids.
“People of all ages can enjoy that,” he said.
