Cochrane Eagle
For the past nine years, Cochrane Classic Bullriding organizer Jason Borton has been busy each spring ensuring the livestock is en route to the Spray Lake Sawmills Centre for the town’s biggest annual bullriding event.
Not this year.
This year, Borton is shaking things up and planning the “biggest and best yet” for his 10th year by switching seasons and locations.
The sanctioned Canadian Professional Bullriding Association (CPRA) event will be held at the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park in conjunction with the 2012 Bow Valley Credit Union SummerFest on July 28.
SummerFest is organized by the Cochrane and Area Events Society (CAES) and is a family day filled with kids amusement park-type attractions and multiple musical performances by local and out-of-town performers.
“A change was due,” said Borton, a former bullrider.
“We can fit more people down here. . . and by partnering with CAES and SummerFest, it makes it that much more family-friendly.”
SummerFest will run from noon to 7 p.m. with a wide range of kid-friendly activities.
The bullriding will run from 7 to 11 p.m., and will feature 30 CPRA riders.
Borton said additional events such as mini bullriding and mini wild horse racing, both for kids, are in the works.
“The rodeo grounds have been here for 45 years and are an integral part of the community,” added Lions Rodeo Park Committee Chair Kevin Firkus.
“I think using the Lions Rodeo Park as much as possible is important.”
Brooks Tower, CAES events director, said he is looking forward to the newly formed partnership.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Jason Borton and the Cochrane Classic Bullriding,” said Tower.
“CAES brings a track record of staged events that are great for kids and families.
“Jason’s event is focused more on adults, so it’s great to fit them together.”
Tower said along with the usual suspects, such as the haybale maze and pony rides, CAES is adding a tractor patch and a paintball area with Bragg Creek Paintball staff plan to be onsite.
There will also be an oil zone, where kids get to recreate and learn more about the process of oil extraction, and a ranching zone, which will be hosted by Wine Glass Ranch.
CAES is also hoping to bring in the Stampede Stage and a JumboTron, a giant video screen.
The group is welcoming new volunteers through its recent partnership with St. Andrew’s Church.
Learn more at cochraneevents.ca
