Rockyford Rodeo: A 60-year legacy

Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

The foundation and core values of the Rockyford Rodeo have remained the same for the past 60 years: a tribute to western culture and a respect for horsemanship and the cowboy way of life.
The Rockyford Rodeo has been built into the legacy of the small village and it shows no signs of stopping.
This year, like so many past years, attendees were able to watch boys’ steer riding, steer wrestling, team roping, bareback, senior barrels, pee wee barrel racing and junior barrels, saddle bronc, calf roping, bull riding and novice bull riding, wild horse races, miniature wild horse racing, sheep riding, kids’ catch-and-keep, two special performances by horsewoman Niki Flundra, and mini-chuckwagon and chariot races.
New to the rodeo this year, as a special 60th anniversary event, was bullfighting with Gringo Bulls – the only purebred Mexican fighting bulls in Western Canada. Several bullfighters tested their bullfighting skills by dodging bulls and showing off a few moves while competing to win payouts adding up to $2,000.
“We thought for our 60th we would bring something a little more exciting in and draw in a few more fans,” said Justin Geeraert, president of the Rockyford Rodeo and of the Rockyford Lions Club – a major sponsor of the weekend.
Weekend coordinators took a different approach in advertising the rodeo this year to try to reach a broader demographic. A Facebook page was created where many photos, videos, updates and contests were posted to get people excited for the rodeo weekend and interested in attending.
Just over 3,000 (check number) rodeo fans and spectators were drawn to Rockyford July 28-30. Attendance for the rodeo weekend has been slightly growing each year and this year was no exception (check based on numbers.)
Special 60th anniversary apparel was on sale to help commemorate the weekend.
A free family dance with TC & Company performing took place after the races and was a welcome and popular attraction on Friday night. A bull-a-rama, followed by fireworks, were welcome shows for those attendees who didn’t want to dance.
Saturday morning started much like how it always has, with rodeo fans pulling on their cowboy boots to attend the free chuckwagon pancake breakfast before watching the grand parade.
Rodeo events started up again just after noon on Saturday followed by more mini-chuckwagon and chariot races.
Many children enjoyed on-site games and an Astro Jump, while adults enjoyed spending some time in the outdoor beer gardens. A kids’ catch-and-keep was also held where over 100 children ran around the arena in hopes of catching a chicken or piglet, which they would then get to keep.
A barbecue beef supper presented by the Lions Club was held on Saturday night followed by the Cowboy Call cabaret with more entertainment from TC & Company.
Finals in all rodeo events were held on Sunday.
“All the proceeds go to the Lions Club and from there we disperse them out. We put money into our campground, and into local community organizations like the hall and ag society,” said Geeraert. The club also donated to the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society last year.
The weekend not only celebrates the history of western culture and rodeo, but it is also a major revenue stream for many local businesses.
“Everyone, every local business, benefits from the rodeo every year. The amount of dollars it brings into the community is huge for a small town like Rockyford,” said Geeraert, who added that the weekend’s events are 80 per cent volunteer run.
For the other 20 per cent piece of the puzzle, Geeraert thanks local sponsors because without them “(they) wouldn’t be able to afford the weekend that (they) do have.”
Geeraert said by supporting small-town local rodeos like the Rockyford Rodeo, people aren’t only supporting local businesses and groups, they are also up close and personal to all the action.
“You can be right up against the fence and can be 100 feet from where the livestock is,” said Geeraert.
“A small town, up close and personal rodeo experience … it’s a whole different kind of experience.”