SUNDRE – Local rodeo fans who either missed the Sundre Pro Rodeo or were perhaps left craving some more thrills and spills – with the additional rush from chuckwagons and chariots – will get their chance later this month.
Three-days of adrenalin-fuelled chuckwagon as well as chariot racing with some additional action-packed bronc as well as bull riding performances, and more, are scheduled for Aug. 25-27.
“The last minute details are all coming together,” said Dale Young, a Sundre Rodeo & Race Association board director and member of the Broncs, Bulls and Wagons subcommittee.
Although the rodeo action gets started with evening performances lined up starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 featuring chariot races, mini chucks, kids wild pony race, wild cow milking as well as chuckwagon races, community activities get started much earlier that same day.
Over at the Sundre Arena starting at 8 a.m., the Sundre Petroleum Operators Group will be holding the annual Neighbours Day, while the Sundre Curling Rink is hosting a farmers’ market from 1:30 - 7 p.m.
Rodeo events resume on Saturday at 5 p.m. for another round of evening performances including chariots, mini chucks, kids wild pony race, wild cow milking, chuckwagon races, and bronc riding. Following the final events is a dance with some musical entertainment featuring Bobby Gosse with a special guest.
Rodeo fans set on catching some cowboys test their mettle against the intimidating mass of thrashing bulls will get their fill on Sunday during the final performances following the last heats in chariots, mini chucks, and chuckwagon races.
The rodeo’s events are sanctioned by the Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association as well as World Professional Bull Riding, with stock being provided by Northcott Rodeo Inc.
“They’re their own separate entities and we just basically host everything at the same time,” said Young.
Although he could not immediately say when speaking with the Albertan earlier this month about how many contenders were on this year’s docket, Young said he anticipated a turnout similar to last year and added entries were still being accepted.
“We don’t know entries until the week before,” he said.
A beer gardens will also be available as well as free camping for the whole weekend.
