RODEO ROLLS INTO ROCKIES, PINCHER CREEK AND CRANBROOK
August 12 , 2009

When most people think of Jasper, Alta., the first things that come to mind are the Rocky Mountains and a rugged wilderness waiting to be explored. But another kind of rugged is visiting the town this week. The Jasper Heritage Rodeo gets underway tonight for four days of cowboy tradition and top-notch athleticism.

For some spectators, it will be their first time watching the sport; for others, it marks a decades old tradition since the first rodeo in the area in 1926.

“Our fan base is 75-80 per cent out-of-province people. About 60-75 per cent do not speak English, or have limited English, and it’s their first rodeo, so we are very fortunate in the fact we can try to have a good show and present rodeo to the world,” says Gail Lonsberry, secretary for the Jasper Heritage Rodeo Association.

“Every night, Joe Braniff, our announcer, asks where people are from,” she continues, “and they’re from all over the world: England, Germany, Asia, Australia, everywhere.”

The committee has been preparing for this year’s event since September, through the indispensable help of volunteers and sponsors. The huge chore of hauling dirt into the arena is complete, last night’s kick-off party was a success, and now the Jasper Activity Centre is buzzing with anticipation for the first performance.

“I don’t get to see much of the rodeo because I’m just so involved in trying to put it on, me and a flock of other people,” Lonsberry says, “but I make a special effort to get in and see parts of the rodeo. I like the ladies barrels, and this year we have the Lord Strathcona’s Horse regiment (during the Aug. 14 performance) and I’m definitely going to get in to see them.”

The top contestant in each of the six major rodeo events and the team roping events will receive an exclusive, collectible silver buckle designed by Olson Silver Co. to commemorate their win.

“They have the Parks Canada logo on them,” describes Lonsberry. “We had to get special permission in order to put that on the buckle, but it’s the beaver logo, so they are a very unique buckle.”

This is the 18th year the rodeo has been sanctioned by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), and 83 years since the rodeo started out as a friendly contest between local outfitters.

Celebrating more than 20 years with the CPRA is the three-day Cranbrook Pro Rodeo, which kicks off Aug. 14 at the Wycliffe Exhibition Grounds, eight miles north of Cranbrook, B.C. on the Kimberley Highway.

Also running from Aug. 14 through 16 is the annual Pincher Creek Fair & Rodeo in southwestern Alberta.