Go wild, go west!
The Sundre rodeo grounds are expected to be full this weekend with several events planned for the 34th annual Sundre Pro Rodeo.
Scott Smith, president of the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association, said this year's event is dedicated to past president Linda Burrell, who passed away last month.
The rodeo weekend will kick off with the annual BS bingo at 6 p.m. on Friday, he said.
“We cut the grass in front of the west side of the grandstands and we put a bull into a pen and people buy the squares and wherever the bull poops, that is the winner,” said Smith.
A total of four rodeo performances over the span of the weekend include bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
The performances also include novice saddle bronc, novice bareback, junior steer riding and mutton bustin' for children, he said.
Tickets are available at the rodeo grounds entrance at any time during the weekend and general admission is $20.
The first performance begins Friday at 6:30 p.m., where people are asked to wear red to support the Canadian troops. There will also be fireworks at dusk.
During the Town of Sundre council meeting on May 6, council approved the fireworks display, at the discretion and requirements of the town's fire chief.
Friday is family day, so families get in at a good rate and normally the rodeo royalty are crowned, but this year the 2012 girls are carrying their crowns for a second year.
Miss Rodeo Sundre 2012 Cayley Martyn and Miss Rodeo Sundre Princess 2012 Mackenzie Henn are keeping their titles for 2013, so there will be no crowning.
Saturday will bring the most excitement, with many events happening. People are asked to wear pink on Saturday to support cancer awareness.
At 7 a.m., the annual free pancake breakfast, sponsored by Sundre Sobeys, will take place at the Sobeys parking lot until 10 a.m.
During the council meeting on May 6, council approved waiving the community centre table fee to be used for the breakfast.
The rodeo parade, hosted by the Sundre Chamber of Commerce will begin at 10 a.m. and is expected to take two hours.
Also approved during the May 6 council meeting was the closure of town streets on Saturday morning for the parade, as part of the annual parade route. It was discussed during the meeting that Alberta Transportation approved the closure of Highway 27 and Main Street during the parade.
The second rodeo performance of the weekend will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, with the third performance beginning at 7 p.m.
A cabaret will follow at the Sundre Arena and tickets are available at the door for $10 per person.
On Sunday, the last rodeo performance of the weekend begins at 12:30 p.m., bringing the rodeo to an end.
The rodeo association has a volunteer-based committee that meets monthly all year long to plan the big weekend for Sundre. There are also people who volunteer during the rodeo weekend. The association currently has 34 active members and is always looking to welcome more.
The association partnered with the Town of Sundre this year to hang rodeo banners around town last month.
Smith said there are 577 entries for this year's rodeo performances and he is pleased to see the numbers are rising.
“We're actually above where we have been, so our numbers are up, which is always a good thing,” he said.
“What that demonstrates is that we've got a lot of pro cowboys and cowgirls that want to come to Sundre, it's a good sign that we've got a good strong rodeo,” he said.
During the Sunday performance, Sundre resident Jina McDougall will be inducted into the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame, he said.
He is proud that she is a Sundreite and is also a former Canadian champion barrel racer.
“I think Sundre benefits from having the rodeo. I think it brings a lot of people to Sundre that are probably from other parts of southern Alberta,” he said.
“All those people that come may have not been here before and I would like to think would come back for another rodeo or for other reasons to see Sundre and how beautiful it is,” he said.
The performers compete for points and prize money that is raised by the committee, he said.
“It's people buying tickets and it's the good sponsors in the Sundre area that help us fund the rodeo,” he said, adding that the majority of Sundre rodeo performers are non-local.
This weekend also brings a carnival, with rides, games and food concessions for guests. Rodeo food is known for being unique and deliciously unhealthy, including taco in a bag and mini doughnuts. Of course, the beer gardens bring many smiles to guests as well.
At this year's event, leading health organizations are joining forces to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle with Nicorette. This is happening for the second year at various rodeos across Alberta.
“Next year is the 35th anniversary, so we're hoping to really make it a big one next year,” said Smith, adding that the rodeo is one of the biggest events in Sundre.
“It couldn't happen without the entire committee and then all of the volunteers,” he said.
This year's event brings Calgary Stampede stock, he said, along with the association's primary stock contractor, Franklin Rodeo Stock.
“Sundre people do really support the rodeo, they're really invested in the rodeo. The fans are exceptional,” he said.
He is hoping for good weather, good attendance and good competition and he said it's always nice to see the same cowboys and cowgirls returning to Sundre to perform.
There is free RV camping on the rodeo grounds for the duration of the weekend, he said.
Council approved relaxing the noise bylaw No. 818 for the duration of Friday through Sunday for the rodeo, during the May 6 meeting.
Council also approved the association's request to enhance enforcement from the Sundre RCMP detachment for the rodeo. One extra officer will be on duty on Friday and two extra officers on Saturday.
Be safe this weekend and have fun!
