The Rockyford Rodeo has been going for more than half a century. The rodeo is keeping the spirit of the cowboy alive with action only a rodeo can deliver.
The Rockyford Lions are once again hosting the rodeo, which is entering its 55th year of operations. The weekend long rodeo starts on July 27 and attracts some of the biggest names in rodeo. The weekend will sate the appetite for any rodeo lover and provide quite a bit for the whole family.
“Nothing has changed this year as far as the rodeo goes. It’s still three days of rodeo and chuckwagons,” said Rockyford Lions president Kevin Elder.
Outside of the rodeo, there will be quite a few events happening, including the miniature wild horse race, and the hilarious catch and keep. Missing this year will be the gunfight downtown, but organizers felt they needed to switch things up a bit.
“It was very popular, but it’s nice to keep things new and not have it go stale. When people come out, they see something different every year,” said Warren Kalbhen, arena director for the rodeo.
“We’re trying something different again to get the whole family involved,” said Elder.
Returning this year will be the trick riders, who haven’t dazzled audiences with their daredevil antics for a few years, and professional wrestling.
Things start on Friday afternoon with the rodeo, followed by chuckwagons and chariots in the evening, beer gardens, and a family dance. T.C. & Company will be once again providing the live entertainment.
Things resume Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., parade at 10 a.m., and the rodeo kicks into high gear starting 12:30 a.m. The rodeo continues to Sunday evening.
This year will also have several special guests. Calgary Stampede Princess and Rockyford native Danielle Gariepy will be coming out to enjoy the rodeo. Gariepy will be joined by the Stampede queen and other princesses.
“We have the Stampede Queen and Princesses coming out. One of the princesses is from Rockyford, which is neat for the town. Normally we don’t have Stampede royalty come to the rodeo,” said Elder.
The rodeo would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of so many Rockyford residents.
“Half the community volunteers. Not just for 2 hour shifts, some are helping organize for most of the year and others volunteer the entire weekend,” said Elder. “The people who chip in do a lot.”
For more information and to book tickets, call 403-533-3771, or visit www.rockyford.ca/rodeo.
