Dust off those cowboy hats and boots, because this year鈥檚 rodeo is expected to be bigger and better than ever.
Building on last year鈥檚 successful return to the great outdoors, the Jasper Heritage Rodeo, which runs from Aug. 16 to 20, hopes to attract up to 1,000 people a day.
It鈥檚 the second year the event will be held outdoors after spending the previous 37 years inside the Jasper Arena.
鈥淭his year has gone 100 times smoother than last year,鈥� said Dallas Klassen, chair of the rodeo association.
鈥淚鈥檓 actually sleeping at night,鈥� he said with a laugh.
To start the five-day event, organizers will host a kick-off party Aug. 16 at the rodeo grounds from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is $2 and the there will be plenty of food, beer and entertainment to be had, including a mechanical bull.
The following day, Aug. 17, the rodeo will officially begin. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the performances start at 6 p.m. A free shuttle service will ferry people to and from the venue, one kilometre west on the Skytram road. The shuttle departs from the Old Firehall every 15 minutes.
鈥淭here is some parking on location, but it is extremely limited. We would prefer people take the shuttle,鈥� said Klassen. 鈥淲e鈥檇 like to keep the parking that we do have for the elderly and people with families that have really small children.鈥�
Throughout the weekend there will be nine different events, from steer wrestling to bull riding.
Sticking to tradition, the annual Stick Pony Parade will make its way through town Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. starting at Jasper Elementary School.
Closing the five-day event, ATCO will also be hosting a free event called Lil鈥� Britches Corral from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 20. Children are encouraged to drop by the rodeo grounds for pony rides, face painting and a chance to meet some of the riders.
Following the rodeo, there will be a dance at the Jasper Activity Centre on Aug. 20 from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tickets for the dance cost $20.
In July, the rodeo received a $4,750 grant from the municipality鈥檚 community and economic development fund.
According the Klassen, the money will be used to buy new picnic tables and they are looking into buying more bleachers.
Tickets for the rodeo are available at the Athabasca Hotel from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. After 4 p.m. tickets can be bought at the gate.
Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $11 for children. Entrance is free for children under five.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
