Record-breaking Rockyford Rodeo

Times Reporter   

 

At the 56th Rockyford Rodeo, 450 contestants competed in everything from bareback riding to team roping to steer wrestling — this is the most the rodeo has ever hosted.

“This is the biggest rodeo we’ve had so far in terms of contestants, and I think gate is up,” said Kevin Elder, part of the Rockyford Lions Club. “Trailers and stuff, we’re pretty much full.”

Mayor Darcy Burke credits the fact that there is a declining amount of small-town rodeos in the province.

“They’re shutting down,” he said. “We still have the same number of cowboys, but less venues to go to. That’s why we have more people in the stands. There’s still people that follow rodeo.”

Elder also noted the more contestants that enter, the bigger the prize money, the more cowboys it lures.

“This is not a stampede, this is a rodeo,” said Mayor Burke. “Strathmore has a stampede, Calgary has a stampede; in Rockyford, we have a rodeo. The difference? You’re right there. You’re right in the action – you can get on if you want.”

Hundreds of volunteers were needed to help out with the ever-growing event from July 26 – 28.

“This weekend does not happen unless you have contestants, a facility, you’ve got volunteers, and you’ve got sponsorship. If you don’t have those four, it doesn’t happen,” said the Mayor. “It takes those people, it’s a partnership between those groups.”

Right after the rodeo is finished, a new year-round washroom facility will be built on the rodeo grounds, a $200,000 investment.

“The funds raised here this weekend, they stay in our community,” said Mayor Burke.  

The rodeo, he feels, promotes the Village of Rockyford significantly, bringing in people from as far as Ontario and the United States.

“When it comes to Rockyford Rodeo, you see the stands are full. You drive across this province, and you mention Rockyford, people will say rodeo,” he said. “Fifty-six years is a tradition, and it’s 56 years of being successful.”