Yee-haw, it’s rodeo time once again in Highridge.
The Highridge Agriculture Society will be hosting its 17th annual Highridge rodeo July 14. Admission is $5, children six and under are free.
The rodeo features all the popular rodeo events like team roping, tie down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, bronc and bareback and the most popular event, bull riding.
The Highridge rodeo is an amateur event, meaning competitors do not have to be carded. As a result, the event is able to attract a large age range of athletes from children, teens, and even seniors.
However, society director Calvin Young said that doesn’t mean there will be any shortage of rodeo talent.
Typically he said the rodeo attracts about 400 competitors, but in the last few years the numbers have been down slightly, in part because of competition from other rodeos, most notably from the Wildrose Rodeo circuit.
In its inaugural year, 96 athletes participated while at the top end, while the best year they had close to 500 competitors.
“I’m not too sure how many have registered, but last year I think we had somewhere in the neighbourhood of 300 entries,” he said, adding no matter how many athletes attend, spectators are assured of seeing some great rodeo action. “It’s a lot of entertainment for your money. I mean there aren’t too many places you can go and have an afternoon of entertainment for $5,” Young said.
Gates open at 9 a.m. with rodeo action beginning at 1 p.m.
Food and drinks will be available at the concession stand and for those 18 years-old and older, there will be a beer garden.
In the evening, the society will also be hosting a dinner and dance for $25. For those wanting to participate in just the dance or dinner only, the price drops to $15. Dinner is at 8 p.m. and the dance starts at 9 p.m.
