The sun has set on the Halkirk Elks Bullarama for another year.
Taking place for its 26th year, the gates for event opened at 4 p.m. on Aug. 27. On the grounds spectators were treated to afternoon music provided by David Young. Those not wanting to cook were able to grab a burger at the concession or an adult beverage in the beer gardens.
For the kids, there was a money pit, face painting, a boot race hosted by Johnny D, and mutton bustin’.
The main event kicked off at 5 p.m. with the opening ceremonies. As usual, the Cowboy’s prayer was recited, O’Canada was sung, this year by Pam Sherman, and the Ladies of the Heartland drill team performed.
After the opening ceremonies, it was time for the main attraction: the bulls!
While 13 riders were listed as registered on the ride sheet, due to injuries or other reasons some were unable to attend and several riders took more than one turn on what proved to be uncooperative animals.
Out of 12 rides in the first go, only Maple Creek, Sask, cowboy Garret Harrigan managed to stay on for the full eight seconds earning 82.5 points for the ride. Those points would prove to be the high score for the evening.
At the end of the intermission Castor-based duo The Daring Diva’s trick riders performed before the secong go round got started.
Aussie Chris Young got things started with an 81-point ride, in what was hoped to be a better start to the second half of the performance. Unfortunately, the animals didn’t want to cooperate and only one other rider, Lane Jensen, from Manning, Alta. managed to score points. Jensen earned 76 points for his ride, leaving Harrigan as the high point rider for the evening.
The concession and beer gardens remained open after the bull riding, with a dance starting at 9 p.m.
Fireworks by Ross Elsasser and his team at Prairie Thunder capped off the evening around 10 p.m.