The 2013 Sundre Pro Rodeo will officially be held on Aug. 23, 24 and 25, after the dates had been declared tentative last month.
Scott Smith, the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association's president, confirmed that the dates are good to go. The rodeo was originally planned to take place on June 21, 22 and 23, but was postponed on June 21, after the Red Deer River breached its banks on June 20. The breach caused overland flooding in several areas of town, forcing evacuation orders in those areas.
Smith said it's the first time in history that the rodeo has been postponed and that the association's committee was disappointed. Before declaring the dates as non-tentative, he needed to check with all parties involved.
Sundre Chamber of Commerce officials are planning to host the parade in conjunction with the rodeo, after it was postponed for similar reasons. It was postponed because there were no emergency personnel available, as they were busy dealing with the flood.
Heidi Overguard, chamber of commerce vice-president, said the parade was cancelled before the rodeo was and at that time members were planning to host the parade in conjunction with Bulls and Wagons, which is on Aug. 9, 10 and 11.
However, she said because the rodeo is also being postponed, it would be nice to keep the events together.
Sobeys free pancake breakfast, which was also postponed, could possibly occur with the other two events as well, said Tom Mennear, organizer of the breakfast.
During the council meeting on May 6, council passed five motions regarding the June rodeo. During the July 15 meeting, council re-approved the motions for the rodeo in August.
Council approved relaxing the Noise Bylaw No. 818 for the duration of Aug. 23 to Aug. 25. Council also approved the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association's request to enhance enforcement from the Sundre RCMP detachment for the rodeo. One extra officer will be on duty on Friday, Aug. 23 and two extra officers on Saturday, Aug. 24.
As well, council approved the fireworks display that is proposed for Friday, Aug. 23, at the discretion and requirements of the town's fire chief.
The fee for the community centre table was waived by council to be used for the pancake breakfast, and the closure of town streets on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 24 for the parade was also approved, as part of the annual parade route. It was discussed during the May 6 meeting that Alberta Transportation approved the closure of Highway 27 and Main Street during the parade. The float gathering will begin at 9 a.m. on the Main Avenue West service road.
