Bull-a-rama 2023 a complete success
By Laureen James Times Contributor
Joe Lepage Photo
nd volunteers’ hard work and commitment put on a great bull riding event on June 30.
Although bull riding was the main event, the competitions of the evening included mutton busting, wild cow milking and wild pony races along with four young ladies and their sturdy steeds entertaining the crowd with awe at their trick riding skills.
The event highlighted how the Lions Club of Rockyford and the community worked together to put on a wonderful event that raises money for the community. In a speech of gratitude for the community’s outpouring of support, Lions Club president Dan Munro thanked the community members for a great turnout of competitors and spectators.
Munro continued by saying, “This is the Rockyford Lions premier event.”
The money raised goes straight back into the local community for development and the Family Medical Fund. In the past the Lions Club has donated to STARS, the repair of the Rockyford Arena chiller, campground upgrades and hall repairs.
“Planning starts in the first week of December,” said Lions member and arena director for the event, Mike Phillips. “Just today, 50-75 volunteers from Rockyford and surrounding areas (helped) make this event a success”.
The efforts of the community to put on events like this establishes a sense of belonging and contributing to the community and is a major factor in the success of any event. For the Rockyford rodeos, there is always a higher percentage of out-of-town spectators but the bull-a-rama event has a more local audience, according to Munro.
The list of volunteers would not be complete without mentioning the parents of the upcoming rodeo athletes who encourage their kids to participate in the historical sport of rodeo. Nick Phillips a parent of youngsters who competed in the wild pony riding event, looked completely at home holding two helmets for his kids.
“I encourage people to get out and volunteer – you get out of a community what you put in,” said Munro. “Sponsors and volunteers allow us to put on a successful event.”