BOWDEN ñ This year is the 25th anniversary of the Bowden Bonanza Daze rodeo, and to celebrate that milestone, it will feature several new attractions.
The event runs from July 28-30 at the rodeo grounds just south of town.
One new attraction is a midway, which will run all weekend, according to Bowden and District Ag Society president Keith Bailey. He says organizers have booked Wild Rose Shows to provide that midway.
Another new event is freestyle motocross, which will take place in the infield.
Unlike what some might think, this version of motocross involves jumps trucked in, Bailey says. Contestants perform various jumps and tricks. There's no need to construct jumps, etc., from dirt, as in other motocross events.
"They pull in big rigs. It's freestyle motocross, so what they do is they bring in two big ramps and they do jumps and flips and all that kind of stuff," Bailey says.
A third new wrinkle is a raffle for a 25th anniversary saddle, created by Bowden's own Ocean Front Saddlery. Tickets are $20 each. The draw will be made Sunday, July 30.
Events begin with a junior rodeo at 12 noon on Friday, July 28. A team roping jackpot takes place that night at 6 p.m.
"And then Charlie Brittain from Bowden's going to jam in the beer gardens ñ play some music for us," Bailey says.
On Saturday, July 29, events begin with a pancake breakfast provided by the fire hall beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The parade winds through town at 11 a.m.
At 1 p.m. the Central Alberta Rodeo Association (CARA)-sanctioned rodeo starts. Rodeo events include bareback riding, sheep riding, wild ponies and calf roping.
Just before then, the first freestyle motocross performance will hit the infield at 12:30 p.m. Two other freestyle motocross events will be held at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m., the professional bareback challenge takes place.
At 10 p.m. a cabaret begins, featuring a live band, Rooster in the Henhouse.
A highlight on Sunday, July 30 is mutton busting for kids six years of age and under. That event begins at 12 noon. The CARA-sanctioned rodeo begins at 1 p.m.
The ball tournament, which runs all weekend, will feature 16 teams, up from 12 teams in previous years, Bailey says.
Beergardens will be open all weekend as well and free camping will be available.
A new office is being put together in time for the rodeo.
Bailey says organizers have obtained an old portable classroom and have been renovating it since about the end of May. He estimates the cost of that project to be $10,000.
"It's freestyle motocross, so what they do is they bring in two big ramps and they do jumps and flips and all that kind of stuff."KEITH BAILEY PRESIDENT BOWDEN AND DISTRICT AG SOCIETY
