Come on down to the rodeo grounds in September for some good Olds-fashioned bucking broncos, brewskies and Ö a German oompah band?
The second Oldstoberfest Bavarian Rodeo and Biergarten is set to take place Sept. 15-16, and the schedule, sponsors and entertainment lineup were officially unveiled last Wednesday at the Cow Palace.
The weekend event will feature a traditional pro rodeo with some less traditional elements, including the Young Gunz Trick riding team decked out in lederhosen, the German Knights Polka Band to keep the crowd going between bull riders, and a nightly Bavarian-style beer garden.
"This is a fantastic event that brings together two different cultures," said Kyle Rock, operations manager for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. "It's a chance to get to see some of the best stock, cowboys and cowgirls that North America has to offer in a really unique setting that gives a one-of-a-kind rodeo experience."
Rock said that because the event nears the end of their competitive season, he's expecting some high quality rodeo.
"There'll be a lot of guys that'll be on the bubble, either to qualify for the Canadian finals or be that season leader," he said. "The closer we get to the end of the year, it seems like that competition ramps up a little."
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA and interim United Conservative Party leader Nathan Cooper was on hand at the official launch, lauding the local impact of this kind of event.
"I'm here today to really celebrate community -- and Oktoberfest is just that," he said. "When these community events come together ñ they rally community groups and small business and entrepreneurs, all to have such a huge impact on our economy."
On that front, the Olds College Brewery and Red Deer's Troubled Monk Brewery will be the official suds suppliers, while the grub will come from local vendors including Just Jacks, Grouchy Daddy's and the Black Forest Bakery ñ all of which were serving up samples, from strudel to pretzels, during Wednesday's launch.
Gillian Grant, the Oldstoberfest organizer for C5 Rodeo, said they want the beer and food to be centre stage for the event.
"We want to make sure this is an event that not only complements our western way of life, but also really screams that Oktoberfest tradition," she said.
In addition to its pro rodeo and evening biergarten, the second iteration of the cross-culture event will add in a grandstand concert Saturday evening featuring Tim Hicks, along with the Chris Buck Band.
Grant said they are expecting the crowds to outnumber the inaugural 2015 edition, which she said brought in close to 6,000 visitors.
"There's a lot of folks that didn't make it out," she said, "and I think they want to see what the buzz is all about."
MORE: You can get more information about tickets, schedules, sponsorship or volunteering online at www.oldstoberfest.com.
"We want to make sure this is an event that not only complements our western way of life, but also really screams that Oktoberfest tradition."GILLIAN GRANT OLDSTOBERFEST ORGANIZER FOR C5 RODEO
