Airdrie’s longest-running athletic competition will return for its 51st year when the Airdrie Pro Rodeo kicks off June 28. The five-day event features plenty of rodeo action that arena manager Brett Raines said fans won’t want to miss. For the second year, the rodeo will begin with a full night of bull riding action June 28. So far, 39 riders are registered for the event. “All the bull riders take their very first bull on the 28th,” Raines said. “Then, they come back over the next four days to get their second one, so it’s a two-header in the bull riding. They have to get on two during the span of the rodeo.” Raines said fans will again have the opportunity to get close to the bull riding action, with standing room available along the arena fence for the second year. The other seven events – bareback riding, steer riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, saddle bronc, team roping and tie down roping – will commence June 29 and run until July 2. Raines said those events will all draw high-caliber talent. “The way the weekend is and the time of year it is, you’re going to have all your top guys from Canada and the U.S.,” Raines said. “They’ll come up here and work Ponoka and Williams Lake. We’re kind of a prelude for the Calgary Stampede, so these guys are all coming up here because there’s a lot of good rodeos up in Canada right now.” Raines added the Airdrie Pro Rodeo offers the chance to see several athletes who will go on to compete at the Calgary Stampede in a much more intimate setting. Rodeo fans can also come out and cheer homegrown talent. “You have some young fellas like Grady Quam in the team roping from Crossfield,” Raines said. “Plus, you have the three Milan brothers from Cochrane. “We have a great talent pool from nearby for local people to come cheer and watch.” However, the rodeo is not only for the professional riders. A junior rodeo will run June 29 to July 2, allowing the younger generation to try their hand at the rodeo lifestyle. “It’s so they can get a feel for rodeo and what it is, and to be part of it,” Raines said.
Young kids can climb on the back of a sheep for a try at Mutton Busting, or get involved in barrel racing. New this year is the Mini Broncs, where young teens can try their hand at bronc riding on miniature horses. On July 1 and 2 only, the event will also feature wild pony races.
Registration is still open, Raines said, though some events – like barrel racing – require contestants to provide their own helmet and a horse.
If the arena events don’t captivate the little ones, Raines said there are plenty of other offerings at the rodeo.
“We have a play centre there, so we set up a bunch of different games for the kids,” he said. “There’ll be a face painter there, and one of those bouncy houses.”
The rodeo will also be holding evening dances June 29 to July 1, with musical performances from Chris LeBlanc, Robert Gosse and KixxSin.
According to Raines, the rodeo is also still looking for volunteers for the weekend, particularly during the evening. Be it taking tickets, working behind the bar or parking cars, Raines said there is always a place for those who want to help out.
“There’s something there that you’re good at, and we can find a place for you, something you may enjoy or something you want to learn,” he said.
The rodeo starts daily at 7:00 p.m. June 28 to 30, and 3:00 p.m. July 1 and 2. General admission for a single day is $20, with youth and senior tickets available for $15. Five-day passes are also available for $80.For more details on times, events and registration, visit airdrieprorodeo.com
