DIDSBURY - Saturday turned out to be a bright, sunny day, which helped buoy attendance numbers for both the town's annual rodeo and parade.
The rodeo, which took place on Aug. 16 and 17 at the Didsbury Ag Grounds, featured a number of popular Foothills Cowboy Association (FCA) events including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and bull riding.
There was also several events for the kids on the Saturday such as the wild pony race, mutton busting and the pet scramble. Friday featured the fireworks show Thunder on the Prairie. Both days featured concessions, vendors, games for kids and beer gardens for the adults.
Craig Anderson, president of the Didsbury Ag Society, which put on the rodeo, said the event went very well.
"It was really good," said Anderson. "There were no injuries, people or animals. Everything was good other than the weather Friday night. It was a little cool and damp. But no - everything went well. We had a good turnout on Saturday. The kids activities were well received."
Attendance on the Friday night was 321, while Saturday's was 856.
New this year at the rodeo was popular local trick bike rider Billy Kohut.
"Everyone liked Billy Kohut jumping on his bike," said Anderson. "There was a big line-up for his autograph afterwards. We haven't had him before. We've been talking for a few years but it hasn't worked out before. Turned out he didn't need as much room as I thought so we went for it."
Rodeo results (champions) :
- Bull riding - Ethan Schultz, Strathmore
- Junior steer riding - Bailey Schellenberg, Cochrane
- Steer wrestling - Carter McIntyre, Sundre
- Team roping - Ty Livingstone/Lane Purdie
- Junior barrel racing - Jewel Pollock, Rocky Mountain House
- Ladies barrels - Susan Gulick, Wetaskiwin
- Saddle bronc - Briley Scott, Sundre
- Junior bull riding - Carter Sahli, Red Deer
- Calf roping - Aaron Mosicki, Warburg
- Novice horse riding - Briley Scott, Sundre
- Bareback - Allen Fletcher, Airdrie
The pancake breakfast and parade Saturday morning was once again put on by the Didsbury Elks. Co-chair Margo Ward said both events were very well attended and enjoyed by people of all ages.
"It was a beautiful day and I think everyone liked the parade," said Ward. "It was the nicest day we've had in years. As for numbers, I'd say definitely hundreds. We had almost 500 at the breakfast. There would have been lots of people out on the street."
The parade featured three bands, several floats, antique cars and buggies and horse and riders.
"We also had the Alazar Temple people back this year," she said.
Ward said the feedback she's heard about the parade has been positive other than the odd complaint about the road closures.
"This year people seem to be pretty OK with it," she said. "It was a beautiful day to be out. That's the biggest thing. Everyone enjoys it as long as it's a nice day. We had comments it was a great parade."
Parade winners and runner-ups:
- Commercial - 1st - Didsbury Pharasave; 2nd - Mountain View Financial (formerly Credit Union)
- Non-commercial - 1st - Mountain View Arts Society; 2nd - Didsbury Ramblers Hockey Association
- Antique vehicles - 1st - 1956 Buick, Gary Halfyard; 2nd - 1925 Model T Ford, Gary Halfyard
- Horse and Carriage/Harness Horse - 1st - Feel Mirror the Body; 2nd - Blue Wagon Percherons, Mike Cope
- Horse and Rider - 1st - Crossfield Pete Knight Days Rodeo Queen Ellen; 2nd - Crossfield Pete Knights Days Rodeo Princess Ashley
