Anyone who’s ever wondered about the origins of the ubiquitous pancake breakfasts that spring up all over town during the Calgary Stampede can come and find out from the author of the Flip Flop Flapjack book while enjoying still more pancakes courtesy of the Cochrane Lions Club on opening day of the 56th annual Cochrane Lions Labour Day Rodeo.
Cochrane Lions president and chair of the rodeo committee Chris Connon is the face of the Lions’ mobile flapjack trailer. Anyone who’s lived in or around Cochrane for any length of time will have likely seen him ply his trade at a number of community breakfasts.
He’s lost count of how many (thousands?) pancakes he’s flipped.
And he’ll be back at it with spatula in hand at the Cochrane Lions Club Event Centre at 109 Fifth Ave. for the Stockmen's Foundation flapjack breakfast on Friday Sept. 1 at 8 am, to kick things off for the weekend-long rodeo.
The Lions are teaming up with the Stockmen’s folks for the free family event on Friday. There will be a western photo booth, a learn to rope booth, and a chance to create a brand on wood with the Stockmen's cowboys.
The Tumbleweeds will provide live music, and there will be a reading/signing with the author and illustrator of the Flip Flop Flapjack book.
Stockmen's Library and Cochrane Public Library will be formally announcing their new Marigold partnership.
“The Stockmen’s is looking forward to partnering with the Lions Club to kick off their rodeo weekend with our flapjack breakfast. It is a way to combine one of the stories of our rich western history with bringing together the community, and a great pancake breakfast,” said Stockmen’s executive director Scott Grattidge.
Still considered one of the toughest amateur rodeos in Canada, the FCA-sanctioned, weekend-long event follows closely in the footsteps of the famous Calgary Stampede. Many of the same riders and stock showcased there will participate in Cochrane, but in a much more intimate setting.
All events are at Cochrane Lions Club Event Centre 109 Fifth Ave.
Connon said every year they try to make the largest event in Cochrane bigger and better.
Friday Sept. 1, from 5 to 10 pm the Slimdor Ranch Rodeo takes centre stage. The free-admission event features competitions based on actual ranching activities like cattle wrestling and sorting and penning, going back in time to see where today's rodeo originated. These are skills used today to manage animals and homesteads.
Saturday Sept. 2 is Heritage Day. Gates open at 11 am and the rodeo starts at 1 pm on Saturday to Monday.
The new Lions Rodeo Queen will be crowned, and rodeo volunteer of the year will be presented.
The cabaret starts at 8 pm featuring TC and Company.
“Weather permitting, it will be outside with a little bit of dancing in the dirt,” Connon said.
“Dress in your best retro western attire for a chance to win a set of boots,” he added.
Sunday will be designated Pink Day, sponsored by Kendra Watt, of CIR Realty.
“On Sunday we're asking that people where pink in support of those fighting cancer or those that have passed from cancer,” Connon said.
There will be a Cowboy of the Year presentation on Sunday.
Championship Monday starts off with the Town’s Labour Day parade.
For the rodeo, it’s designated as military day.
“We encourage everybody to wear red on Monday to support our military and first responders,” Connon said.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the rodeo can send an email to [email protected].
For tickets go to cochranerodeo.com. Weekend passes are $45, with free admission for kids under six years old. The cabaret Saturday night is $25.
