Daines rodeo ready to roll

The 56th Innisfail Pro Rodeo at the Daines Ranch is set to kick off this Friday.

The annual event takes place June 17 to 19, just six kilometres north of town and is expected to draw thousands of rodeo enthusiasts from Innisfail and around the province.

"There will be all the top cowboys and the top roughstock," said rodeo legend Jack Daines. "It's going to be really fun to watch.

"The only guy we got to control now is the weatherman and he hasn't bought a ticket yet, so I don't know what will happen," he added with a chuckle.

The Innisfail Pro Rodeo features saddle bronc, bareback, bulls, barrel racing, tie down roping, steer wrestling and team roping events, as well as a dance and beer gardens following the rodeo Friday and Saturday, and the traditional Rotary parade on Saturday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m.

NHL star Kris Russell, a defenceman with the Dallas Stars, will open the 2016 Innisfail Pro Rodeo and was named this year's parade marshal for the Innisfail Rotary Parade.

"We go to the rodeo every year," said Russell in a phone interview last week. "It's a huge honour that Jack Daines asked me to be the parade marshall this year."

The 29-year-old Russell grew up in Caroline and played minor hockey in Innisfail for several years.

"I was there for about four years. I came over in peewee and left in first year midget. Then I went to the Western Hockey League," he said.

The Columbus Blue Jackets later drafted Russell in the third round, 67th overall, in the 2005 NHL entry draft. Since then, Russell has played for Columbus, St. Louis, Calgary, and is now with the Dallas Stars.

Having grown up in Central Alberta, Russell is no stranger to rodeos or to Innisfail. He said he appreciates the traditional rodeo event presented at the Daines Ranch and all the hard work many family members contribute.

"The Daines family do an incredible job," said Russell. "It brings people back every year and seems to be packed regardless of the weather. They always seem to have a good turnout," he added. "I think that's something you look forward to is the Daines rodeo every summer. It's a good time."

He noted his family connection to rodeos as well.

"My dad was a bull fighter so we have rodeo roots in our family," explained Russell. "We enjoy it a lot."

Russell said he is happy to be a part of the Innisfail Rotary Parade this year, and will lead the parade riding a horse supplied by Scott Severtson.

"I think it's a fun weekend and it's going to be really fun to be a part of it this year," said Russell. "I'm looking forward to it."

For more information on the 56th Innisfail Pro Rodeo go to the website at www.innisfailprorodeo.com

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