The Cochrane Lions Labour Day Rodeo returns this weekend for its 49th year.
To get the rodeo started, tomorrow night (Sept. 4) will see the Slimdor Ranch Rodeo kicking things off at 4 p.m. Due to an increased number of contestants and time constraints, the slack rodeo will not take place this year.
Also that night, Legacy Guitar and Coffee House will host its Rockin’ the Rodeo event at 8 p.m., featuring The Lion The Bear The Fox with guests Arcadian Sons as a preamble for the weekend’s main event.
On Saturday, the rodeo gets to bucking in earnest at 1 p.m. followed by a cabaret and rodeo dance at 8 p.m. featuring the country rock band TC & Company.
Sunday opens with Cowboy Church at 10 a.m. and the rodeo starts up again at 1 p.m., with Wild Bill’s DJ service providing musical entertainment at 8 p.m.
Monday will be the last day of the rodeo, beginning again at 1 p.m. It will include the Foothills Cowboy Association’s (FCA) breakaway roping finals and peewee barrel racing finals.
The new Rodeo Royalty queen and princess will also be crowned Sept. 7.
Throughout the rodeo, face painting, clowns and other children’s festivities will be available to entertain the little ones.
A vendor’s market will also available to satisfy your inner shopper.
The number of contestants for this year’s rodeo increased 10 per cent, to 280.
Rodeo chairman Kevin Firkus said he’s most excited for all the families to come out to enjoy the weekend.
“It’s a family deal and that’s what I enjoy the most about it.”
In keeping in that spirit, new this year is a family area to be located on the north side of the grounds. The area will be alcohol and smoking free.
Although Firkus couldn’t reveal the amounts, he said cheque presentations would be held Monday for donations collected in the lead-up to the event.
The costs of entry per day for the rodeo is $15 for adults, or $10 for ages 60 and over and 18 and under; kids 12 and under get in free.
