The Cochrane Lions Rodeo Community Day returns Friday, Aug. 29, promising a full day of free family fun to kick off the 59th annual rodeo.
“Friday is getting bigger,” said Simon Wallis, marketing director for the Cochrane Lions Club. “The rodeo keeps growing in popularity, and we’ve got the Discovery Days, which probably bring some people to town who normally wouldn’t come for the rodeo.”
The event draws both locals and international visitors.
“We have a regular collection of people from Germany and England who come specifically for this weekend,” Wallis said. “They incorporate the Cochrane rodeo into their vacation.”
Festivities begin with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. outside the Lions Events Centre, with live music from The Tumbleweeds.
“We’re expecting to serve around 3,000 people,” Wallis said. “We’ve always had the breakfast, but last year we only had a barbecue. This year we’re bringing back the breakfast and keeping the BBQ, so we’re doing both.”
At 10 a.m., The Station will host the official Cochrane Lions flag-raising ceremony, followed by the ranch rodeo at 3 p.m. at the rodeo grounds. Gates open at 2 p.m.
“You’re going to see what happens day-to-day on a working ranch in Alberta,” Wallis said. “You’ll see what those guys do on horseback, but in a competition format. It’s really something great to watch and one of my personal favourites.”
After the rodeo action, attendees are invited to a free community barbecue at the top of the hill inside the grounds, where the Calgary Stampede Stage will also host the ranch rodeo awards ceremony.
The evening wraps up with a free concert by Matt Johner & the Johner Boys.
“We have some very generous sponsors that enable us to make the whole day free,” Wallis said. “It’s a lot of work, but from the Cochrane Lions Club and the Cochrane Lions Rodeo, it’s our gift to the community — a whole day they can enjoy.”
Community Day is sponsored by Calgary Stampede, Slimdor, Inter Pipeline, Burnco and Calgary Co-op.
The event is all-ages, family friendly, and open to everyone. For more information, visit cochranerodeo.com/events-schedule.
