BOWDEN --There's a new wrinkle at Bowden Daze, the 26th annual rodeo and all-around good time, which takes place July 27-29 at the rodeo grounds just south of town.
Bowden Ag Society president Keith Bailey says this year, an Edmonton-area company is coming down with a bunch of bouncy castles. He says they'll be in place all three days.
This year's edition of Bowden Daze begins Friday, July 27 at noon, when the junior rodeo gets underway.
The team roping jackpot will take over that evening at 6 p.m.
In addition, the Bowden Daze kickoff party begins in the beer gardens Friday at 6 p.m. and runs until midnight. This year, it features a jam session from local musician Charlie Britain. Participants will have a chance to win door prizes.
The annual Bowden Daze parade begins Saturday at 11 a.m.
It's followed by the CARA (Central Alberta Rodeo Association) rodeo which begins at 1 p.m.
Also at 1 p.m., the first freestyle motocross show begins.
At 6 p.m. freestyle motocross riders will hit the dirt (or mud -- depending on the weather) again, followed by sheep riding and a wild pony race.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, the rodeo's big feature event, the CPRA (Canadian Professional Rodeo Association) bareback challenge will begin.
"That's a $10,000 added bareback challenge. The money counts toward the CFR (Canadian Finals Rodeo)," Bailey says.
He says the challenge is expected to attract "the top 24 bareback riders in Canada."
The cabaret and rodeo dance, featuring Rooster In A Henhouse, begins Saturday at 9 p.m.
On Sunday, July 29, The CARA rodeo will close out Bowden Daze, starting at 1 p.m.
For the third year in a row, a ball tournament will be held in conjunction with Bowden Daze. It begins Friday night and ends Sunday.
Bailey says this year, 16 teams from across Central Alberta will be participating in that tournament, up from 12 previously.
Bailey was asked why it's been growing in size.
"I think it's just word of mouth, now that it's been (going for) a few years," he says.
Bailey says camping in the area is free all weekend and a concession will be located on site.
