It takes a whole town to put together the biggest little show in the Canadian Badlands, which is why it turns into a sprawling city for one weekend each summer.
The 51st annual Rockyford Rodeo kicks up its stirrups July 25 to 27 in the town 50 km northeast of Calgary off Highway 21, smack dab in the middle of the Canadian Badlands.
While most small town rodeos make do with the usual handful of events and some partying afterwards, Rockyford and its Lions Club go all out to make its rodeo a full weekend of fun.
“Three-quarters of our community gets involved,” says
Rockyford Mayor Darcy Burke. “They donate their time, it takes the
entire community to pull off this event.”
Every day there’s a full slate of Foothills Cowboy
Association sanctioned events from team roping to bull riding. The
FCA’s top cowboys will do battle with the rankest stock around and
because of the small arena setting, fans can get as close to the action
as they dare. Get a sense of what the cowboys experience as 1,500
pounds of snarling muscle and horns eyes you up from the other side of
the fence. There’s even a jumbotron showing replays.
Pony chuckwagons and chariots follow each evening,
stampeding around Lions Park in a frenzy of hooves, dirt and wheels.
Catch a wild miniature horse race on Saturday and Sunday.
While the animals aren’t taking centre stage, there’s
plenty going on to keep busy and entertained. TC & Company’s music
will have the beer gardens rocking Friday leading up to a brilliant
fireworks display. There’s a full midway in town all weekend to bring
your adrenaline to a boil, a free pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10
a.m. Saturday, a parade to follow and prime Alberta beef served up at 5
p.m. Saturday and Sunday to finish things off.
Can you believe all of this is going on in a town of
349? It’s by far Rockyford’s biggest weekend of the year and truly
something to behold. Understandably, almost everyone in town has a part
to play in its success, and with 3,000-plus guests expected, you could
hardly call it a small town event.
“After 51 years it’s promoting itself,” says Burke. “Rockyford prides itself in providing quality entertainment.”
Don’t worry about finding a place to stay, as
there’s a campground for trailers, motorhomes and campers right in the
middle of the grounds. You could even head to the nearby towns of
Rosebud, Hussar or Standard and check out their vibrant communities as
well.
Rosebud’s known for its unique theatre, the only
professional rural theatre in the province, and a bustling arts scene
that also includes the renowned Rosebud School of the Arts. They’re
used to having visitors and you’ll be able to find a bed and breakfast
or campground location without a problem.
Hussar has a campground and began as a
German-Canadian farming community. Standard has excellent fishing at
the Severn Dam and was first settled by Danish immigrants.
No matter where you stay, it’s going to be a lively weekend in the Canadian Badlands you won’t soon forget.
For more information on the Rockyford Rodeo contact 403-533-3771 or 403-533-2240.
