NORTH BATTLEFORD — Anticipation is building for the 2022 edition of the Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo in North Battleford.
The event promises to be a special one for a number of reasons. It is the historic 50th edition of the rodeo, but it is also the return of the event for the first time since 2019. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions had prevented organizers from staging the milestone 50th anniversary event in both 2020 and 2021.
“It is finally happening,” said Heath Gabruch from the Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo. “We are back at it.”
The event is happening April 29, 30 and May 1 at their regular venue, the Access Communications Centre. Gabruch acknowledged his organization is enthused about seeing the annual rodeo return after the last two years of COVID-19 disruptions and delays.
“I think everyone is very excited”, said Gabruch. He said the 50th anniversary is “a milestone we definitely want to see through, and two years later we’re finally at that point and really looking forward to it.”
Rodeo fans can expect a flurry of activities at the arena for the three days starting April 29.
There will be performances on Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m. with all the major events as well as junior events. Gabruch says on those two nights they are having a freestyle bullfighting event after the main performances, featuring three bullfighters from Alberta.
The fighters will “get into the arena and put on a show and score points, and the fighter that gets the most points will get the cash bonus prize,” said Gabruch.
Saturday night will be Kids' Night, with kids receiving their free passes from the schools. There will also be prizes and some 50th anniversary T-shirts given away.
As well, the grand opening prior to the performances Saturday will be a focal point of celebrating 50 years, as they bring back as many of the past committee members, past volunteers and past rodeo queen contestants. “Saturday will be a very packed event,” said Gabruch.
Featured rodeo events will include saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, women's barrel racing and team roping. There will also be junior events.
Sunday is being billed as Championship Sunday with a second set of prize money for each cowboy in each event. “It will be a winner-take-all in each event,” said Gabruch.
The rodeo will also be crowning their 50th anniversary rodeo queen Sunday afternoon.
Souvenir collectors will be interested in the 50th anniversary merchandise that will be on sale at the venue. Also, the upper auditorium will feature live musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tickets for the three days will be available at both doors at the Access Communications Centre. Adult prices are $20 and seniors are $15. Kids under five are free, but Saturday night any child will be allowed in at no charge.
“It’s a long time since we’ve had a big event in the community, so we just encourage everyone come on in and feel some sort of normalcy and enjoy a rodeo,” says Gabruch.
