Rodeo finals to remain in Barrhead until 2019

Barrhead will be hosting the next three Wildrose Rodeo Association finals.

Barrhead &District Agricultural Society president Randy Schmidt confirmed with the Barrhead Leader that the organization’s bid to host the next three WRA rodeo finals was successful, and both the Town of Barrhead Mayor Gerry St. Pierre and County of Barrhead reeve Bill Lee said they are thrilled by the Ag Society’s selection.

“We are very pleased with this news and remain committed to working with them [Barrhead Agricultural Society] to ensure the finals are very successful events for the next three years,” St. Pierre said.

“It has been in Barrhead for around 31 years now and I’m very happy it will be here for a few more,” Lee said, adding because the finals have been in the same place for so long, it has become a tradition in the area.

“The young kids that were going to the rodeo when it first came to Barrhead, whether as spectators or participants, now their own children and grandchildren are getting involved and it’s become a kind of generational institution,” he said.

The rodeo finals held in Barrhead Sept. 15 to 18 were a great success, Schmidt said.

“As far as attendance goes, every single day of the event was in line with the last few years and we had an incredible turnout, not just from the folks in the town and county of Barrhead, but from the surrounding areas as well,” he said, adding it was fortunate that the weather stayed good throughout the entirety of the finals.

“We always depend on the agriculture side of the community to come in and take in a performance or two, but when it is combining season, we all know it is a bit difficult to come into town you know?”

Overall, Schmidt said the organization was satisfied with the crowd and the performances of all of the contestants.

“We had awesome bucking stock this year and we are definitely looking forward to the next three years,” he added.

“I’m glad it is still here so we can continue this great tradition,” Lee said.