The first Cochrane Lions Rodeo was held in September 1967. On August 29, 58 since the first iteration of the now world class Lions Club Rodeo will return to the very same grounds that it has been occupying since the late 1960s for a four-day rodeo extravaganza.
Some of the best rodeo stars will descend on the Cochrane Lions Club grounds from August 29 to September 1 to compete 16 events for the chance to take home a share of the over $15,000 prize jackpot.
Veterans of the Cochrane Lions Rodeo know what to expect, and those who will be attending the rodeo for the very first time are in for a marathon weekend of rodeo and western activities that have made the Lions Club Rodeo one of the sports premier gatherings.
There will be bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, junior steer riding, junior bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, breakaway roping, junior breakaway roping, ladies barrel racing, junior barrel racing, pee-wee barrel racing, button busting, mini broncs, and wild pony races.
The Lions Club grounds open its gates on Friday, August 29, the first day of the rodeo, at 2:00 pm. At 7:00 pm a free community concert with a performance by Mariya Stokes at the Calgary Stampede Community Stage will wrap up the first night.
Gates open for Saturday, August 30, at 11:00 am, and the rodeo–which will feature the crowning of the new Rodeo Royalty, a mounted shooters event, wild cow races, and the presentation for the Cochrane Lions Club Volunteer of the Year award–will start at 1:00 pm.
The Saturday night Cabaret with a performance by Johner Brothers starts at 8:00 pm. On Sunday the rodeo starts at 1:00 pm, but not before a special feature for the Calgary Co-op Make a Wish Charity Day.
The Lions Club has teamed up with Make a Wish Canada’s Women’s for Wishes initiative to raise money to grant a life-changing wish. Donations for that initiative can be made at the Lions Club Rodeo website, but the big feature to make the Sunday special is a charity Make a Wish Run that starts at 8:00 am at the Lions Club grounds.
The Final day of the rodeo, Monday, September 1, is also Veterans and First Responders' Day. The championships for the major rodeo events will be decided on the final day, with the rodeo starting once again at 1:00 pm.
The 59th Cochrane Lions Club Rodeo is expected to be a raucous occasion, one that the people of Cochrane have come to expect during the Labour Day weekend. Anyone looking to attend the rodeo is advised to purchase tickets, and more information can be found at the Cochrane Lions Club Rodeo website.
