Yeeeeeehaawww — it’s time for the 35th annual Castor Rodeo this weekend.
Plenty of action at the rodeo grounds will feature top competition in several rodeo events.
Castor has moved the rodeo to Friday and Saturday after many years of staging it on Saturday and Sunday.
“We are aiming to stage one of the best rodeos in our community yet” said Heide Andersen, secretary of the Castor and District Agricultural Society.
“Sunday wasn’t a good day for spectators, so we decided to change it to Friday and Saturday.”
Performances are set for Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with a family social Friday night with a bonfire that will feature a live band, Prairie Fire.
This year, 258 riders from as far away as Mexico will compete, up from 23 last year, Andersen said.
“We hope it’s a great weekend for everybody and a fun time.”
With a pancake breakfast Saturday at 8 a.m., the big day kicks off with a parade at 1:30.
“We encourage everyone to come in for breakfast, watch the parade, and then head out to the rodeo grounds,” Andersen said.
Competitors from all over western Canada will compete for top prizes in bareback, tiedown roping, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, junior steer wrestling, women’s barrel racing, junior barrel racing, novice horse riding, team roping, breakaway roping and bull riding, sanctioned by the Foothills Cowboys Association.
Pole bending and local barrel racing will run Saturday at 3 p.m.
Kids can join the rodeo fun with the wild pony races for ages 14 and under, mutton bustin’ for six and under, and goat branding for nine and under during both shows.
For more information, visit castorrodeo.com or phone Andersen at 403-882-2353 or president Brian Spady at 403-879-2110.