The annual Rockyford Lions and Ag Society Club Rodeo celebrates 57 years of action this year over the weekend of July 25, 26 and 27.
Rodeo attendees will now have a clear field of view of chuckwagons and chariots on the track at the rodeo grounds.
Rockyford Lions Club President Justin Geeraert said the 25 to 30 each of chuckwagon and chariot racers will be now be camped outside the race track rather than inside of the track, after the rodeo was able to secure a lease agreement with an adjacent landowner.
Also new this year is the group the rodeo has hired to do a pre-show on the grounds Saturday and Sunday nights.
McMorrin FMX freestyle motocross from Penhold, Alberta will be showcasing their stunt riding skills to kick off the evening’s chuckwagon performances.
The evening’s chuckwagons and chariots run all three evenings starting at 6:30 p.m.
“One thing about being here in Rockyford watching the rodeo - you’re right in front of the action,” said the town’s Mayor, Darcy Burke.
“The fans like it, they’re part of it.”
The population of Rockyford vaults from about 400 people to about 3500 people over the weekend, Burke said.
Friday’s rodeo slack starts at 11:00 a.m., and Friday night is a Family Dance at 9 p.m.
Saturday is the busiest day for the event, kicking off with a free 7 a.m. pancake breakfast on Main Street, where Burke figures they’ll put through a thousand people, followed up by the annual and popular parade at 10 a.m., and the rodeo officially kicks off with the 12:30 p.m. opening ceremonies at the rodeo grounds.
Fill your belly with prime Alberta beef before the chucks begin at the barbecue beef supper at 5 p.m.
Sunday’s rodeo starts at 12:30 p.m., and there is a barbeque beef on a bun supper available.
All the rodeo events are sanctioned through the Foothills Cowboy Association (FCA) for amateur rodeo.
“Every year there’s the FCA finals in Red Deer and a lot of the cowboys come to Rockyford because there’s lots of prize money up for grabs,” said Geeraert.
“It’s one of the bigger small town rodeos, so usually you get quite a few contestants that are trying to get their earnings up to make it to the finals.”
He said the prize money is based on the number of entries plus Rockyford Rodeo adds $1,500 per event.
Geeraert said the rodeo happens because of the hard work done by all the volunteers with the rodeo, the majority of which are long time volunteers from Rockyford.
This is his fifth year on the Lions Club, but he thinks he was about ten years old when he started helping out with the rodeo, when his Dad was a member of the Lions Club.
Geeraert and Burke are both appreciative that rodeo sponsorships are up this year.
Geeraert said that includes a new sponsor that came on board with a $5,000 contribution.
“We’re really grateful for it. Every dollar generated from the rodeo from sponsorships and spectators is put right back into our community here, “ said the Mayor.
He adds that after 57 years, it’s good to see how everything comes together for the rodeo so nicely.
