It’s time to don your cowboy hat and boots for some western-style fun at the Grand River Rodeo coming Aug. 14 to 16.
Now in its third year, the event is expected to bring out people from all over the area to watch a full rodeo display. People can cheer on a speeding barrel racer or gasp as riders hold on to a bucking bull or bronco.
New this year is the free kids rodeo, held on the Saturday and Sunday. All children will be able to participate in the fun western-style events.
“We’re looking forward to it, I don’t know quite what to expect, but it does promise to be quite entertaining,” said Steve Murphy, a director for the rodeo.
Gates open Friday at 5pm, as the weekend opens with a national barrel racing event. Tickets for this event are $10 or free for kids 12 and under. On Saturday, gates and saloon open at noon. The free kids rodeo starts the day with main rodeo events starting at 3pm.
Live music featuring Dufferin County Line and a horse shoe tournament will follow. A volleyball net will be set up in the arena for what Murphy calls “cowboy volleyball.”
The gates and saloon open again at noon on Sunday. There will be a show and shine car show at noon and the kids rodeo continues in the arena. Four Paws Flying Entertainment takes the stage at 1pm and the main events start up again at 2pm.
Riders from all over northeastern United States, Ontario, Québec and Manitoba will be participating in the events.
“It draws in people from all over for the love of the sport, appreciation of the fantastic animals, and celebrates a little bit of our culture, our heritage around farming and working with livestock,” said Murphy.
Regular tickets are $20 at the gate for each day or $15 for seniors and kids six and under. Advance tickets can be purchased online at $15 for adults, or $10 for seniors and youths six and under.
Weekend passes are also available for $45 for adults or $30 for teens and seniors. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.grandriverrodeo.com or in Grand Valley at Mac’s, Kelly’s Korner Restaurant and Grand Valley Crane Rental.
Proceeds for the event will be going to fund a park in Grand Valley.
“Our original vision was to build a park for kids in Grand Valley and we wanted it to be an accessible Sports-type park,” said Murphy.
With more development around Grand Valley the group’s vision has changed slightly. Now, they are funding for youth recreation in general.
“Every penny raised goes to the Town of Grand Valley to be put towards a program for youth … a recreation area for youth, whether that becomes a splash pad, a skateboard park, or a combination thereof, is all yet to be determined,” said Murphy.
