Gay rodeo gallops back into town

Andrea Roberts
Times Contributor

 

The 22nd Canadian Rockies International Rodeo, locally known as the gay rodeo, returned to Strathmore and it was bigger and better than ever.
Many tents and trailers pulled up into the ag grounds for the weekend-long event that featured costumes, a different spin on rodeo events, and this year saw the likes of prominent musicians LeAnn Rimes and George Canyon hit the stage.
Jason Baker, President of the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) previously discussed the group’s intentions of creating an even more exciting event. While the event celebrates gender equality, some of the money raised will also be donated back into charities of the organization’s choosing.
“We do the best we can do so that we can help charities and so we can have another rodeo next year,” said Baker.
Ninety-two registered contestants competed in calf roping, barrel racing, bull riding and pole bending, as well as some unconventional events including steer decorating, wild drag, and goat dressing. Baker attributes much of the success to the contestants that, he said, have created a rodeo family that contributed to the success by setting up the events.
Coming out to the event were people from across Canada, the United States and as far away as Australia. Many of the horses also came from the United States, while the cattle were made available by cattle producer Doug Richardson, who has supplied the cattle for the past 22 years.
Although the rodeo is the main component of the event, it was the music performances that had everyone eagerly anticipating this year.
With two stages for the music acts, visitors were sure to be entertained throughout the day.
The first stage was located by the grandstand and allowed for up-and-coming bands to showcase themselves during the day.
Farther away on the ag grounds, the star-studded lineup performed later in the evening. While some acts were made up from country royalty Tim Hicks, LeAnn Rimes and Kira Isabella, others came out for the catchy tunes from the Village People or the performances of popular Calgary drag queens Carly’s Angels.
Patrons were also privy to a midway lined with food trucks, including the Peanut Butter Cupboard and Beef Wings. The Rosebud Theatre and Kits Ranch also had their representatives stationed on the grounds.
Following the events, the Tornado Nightclub, a new addition, invited spectators from the concerts to continue the party.
Despite all the planning and support from the celebrities, local businesses, and local law enforcement and fire services, the attendance was not what ARGRA was hoping for. Although close to 5,000 people were expected, the rodeo only had about 1,000 people in the grandstands. While this is a record breaker for this rodeo, with attendance this year the largest in approximately eight years, more people from the town were expected to show support.
This is the third year in their three-year contract with Strathmore and they are already planning what to do next.