With the Labour Day Rodeo still months away, the Cochrane Lions have already stirred up excitement by unveiling a brand-new community initiative: a poster design contest celebrating local youth artistry.
Held for the first time this year, the competition welcomed submissions from six talented student artists from St. Timothy High School and Cochrane High School, culminating in an unveiling event on May 25 at the Cochrane Lions Events Centre.
“We wanted to celebrate young artistic talent in Cochrane and give them the opportunity to be involved with the Cochrane Lions Rodeo, now celebrating its 59th year,” said Simon Wallis, marketing director for the Cochrane Lions Club. “We’re also planning a public exhibition of the posters during Discovery Days, which runs alongside the Rodeo over Labour Day weekend.”
All participating artists received Cochrane Rodeo baseball caps and free entrance to the rodeo. The top three winners were awarded four-day passes along with the following prizes:
- Third Place: Mesa Harms – $100 Michael’s gift card
- Second Place: Andrea Raab – $150 Michael’s gift card
- First Place: Keely Wildman – $250 Michael’s gift card + $1,000 Cochrane Lions Scholarship
In addition to her scholarship, Wildman will make an appearance on Day three of the Rodeo to receive a commemorative Lions Rodeo championship buckle.
“To be the first person to make a poster for Cochrane's Rodeo is so surreal to me,” said Wildman. “It’s empowering to know I’ve set that mark — it’s not just about winning, it’s about making history.”
Wildman’s winning artwork will be prominently displayed throughout the 59th Annual Cochrane Lions Labour Day Weekend Rodeo, with the original poster housed at the Cochrane Lions Events Centre.
In a gesture of support for arts education, the Cochrane Lions also awarded St. Timothy High School a $1,000 donation for its art department in recognition of Wildman’s achievement.
“Our students were offered a generous opportunity to engage in a very public artistic experience that many professional artists don’t encounter until much later in life,” said Richard Theroux, St. Timothy art teacher. “We are truly grateful for the support and stewardship from the Cochrane Lions.”
To commemorate the occasion, 100 individually numbered, signed, and framed 24” x 36” poster prints will be made available. Wildman will receive print #1, St. Timothy High School will retain #100, and #59 will remain with the Cochrane Lions to mark the rodeo's 59th year. The remaining prints will be available for purchase by emailing [email protected].
Smaller souvenir copies of the winning poster will be available during the 2025 Cochrane Lions Rodeo, taking place August 29 to September 1.
“This initiative lays the foundation for an annual tradition,” said Wallis. “With next year marking the 60th anniversary of the Rodeo, we’re confident that this year’s students have inspired many more to follow.”
