The 37th annual Cranbrook Pro Rodeo is coming to town Aug. 16-18., with a lineup of skilled riders from all around the world.
Cowboys and gals will try their hands at bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc and bareback riding, and team and tie down roping at the Wycliffe Exhibition Grounds.
Organizer Dallas Mackie said they're expecting a good turn-out this year with plenty of well-known American champions travelling to take part. Currently they have 30 bull riders signed up, which is the largest entry they've ever had for that event.
Girls breakaway roping is back on the schedule. Mackie said this event has led to more opportunities for female riders in the competitive circuit since it was added to the rodeo a few years ago.
"Girls have always barrel raced and they spend a lot of money on horses and travelling and they wanted another event. They worked hard to get it and they did. It's working really well. People like it," she said.
There will be evening rodeos on Aug. 16 and 17 at 6:30 p.m., and an afternoon rodeo on Aug. 18 at 1 p.m., with children's games in the arena. There will be food trucks and a beer garden as well.
Rodeo clown Dennis Halstead is making his return to the event for the first time in a few years. Halstead is a retired Calgary firefighter who has performed at rodeos for more than 25 years. He has toured around the U.S, reaching the top of the charts as the number three barrelman in the world and as a 10 time Entertainer of the Year.
Mackie said the riders are looking to gain points to make it to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton, which is scheduled a month earlier than usual this year in October.
"We are now at the tail end of the rodeo season, so it's kind of cool we're getting all these very good contestants. You have to win money to get to the finals, you have to be in the upper echelon, and some of them will be," she said.
Tickets can be purchased at Top Crop Farm and Garden, and Hillbilly Hardware.