The annual rodeo in Arcola, which was cancelled last year due to COVID-19, will be returning this summer on Aug. 13.
The event will take place at the arena — which is across from Arcola Prairie Place Complex—and it will start at 6:30 p.m. However, people are encouraged to come early to make sure they are settled in their seats before the rodeo begins.
The rodeo will consist of many disciplines, including saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, novice saddle bronc, novice bareback, steer riding, and junior bull riding which are all sanctioned and approved by the Canadian Cowboys Association.
In addition, the rodeo will also have barrel racing and local favourites like mutton busting, wild ponies, and the wild horse race. The wild horse race is especially a favourite as people are able to bet on the teams, which are all made up of locals from the community and surrounding area.
Besides the main rodeo activities, there will also be plenty of other things to do for the day, making the price of $20 for admission a bargain. There will be food and craft vendors there with many options. Some of the food to expect would be ice cream, cotton candy, hamburgers and hotdogs. The beer gardens will also be set up in the arena so people can enjoy a beverage in the gardens while watching the rodeo.
It is also important to note that there are accommodations for seniors, especially as there is an area next to the arena for seniors to park and watch the action in the arena without having to leave their vehicles.
The rodeo’s committee was not sure how this year’s plans would look, but once they heard the news about regulations being lifted on July 11, they hurried to plan the rodeo. Now the rodeo will be an excellent way for people to celebrate the return to normal.
Chris Nadesh, the president of the rodeo committee, explained that it’s a return to normal which makes this rodeo so special. He emphasized how it’s a way for people in Arcola and surrounding communities to connect back to their roots.
“This is a fine display of western heritage. A lot of us come from rural farms, ranches — even if we’re in town now our heritage all goes back to the farm, when you think about it. A lot of that heritage has to do with horses and cowboyin’ and this is what our forefathers out west used to do — they used to get together and do [this] for fun, so … in a way it’s a return to normalcy while celebrating our western heritage at the same time.
“So that’s why I think it’s really important for people to get out and support your local rodeos and also, you know, kind of touch base with your western heritage at the same time, all while returning back to normal.”
