It’s cash, not cattle that the Boyle Agricultural Society is hoping to wrangle in at this year’s rodeo.
For several years, the Boyle Ag Society rodeo has operated at a loss and organizers have been reluctant to say by how much or for how long in its nearly decade-long history.
But with a new president at the helm of the group, leadership is planning on scaling down the concerts and drawing attention back to the rodeo.
“We’re definitely doing things cheaper this year,” said Jason Marcoux, a three-year member who was elected president of the Boyle Ag Society in January.
The rodeo’s concert has been the target of Marcoux’s financial restructuring and his biggest woe.
“Concerts are a pain in the butt,” he said.
Although the weekend-long format of the rodeo will stay the same, the big rock-concert feel will be replaced with a country music vibe and feature local acts from Edmonton and northern Alberta, Marcoux said.
Dirt Road Angels and Boyle locals Lazy Saviours are scheduled to perform.
Proceeds from the concert will go to the Boyle indoor riding arena.
Fifty to 100 riders access the arena each year and pay between five and ten dollars per horse to use it.
Marcoux hopes to raise $20,000, but will apply for government grants to help the group reach its goal if there’s a shortfall.
Currently, the organization relies on government funding to keep itself and the rodeo going each year.
“Grants keeps us afloat,” he said. “We want to get to the point so as to not focus on grants and be self-sustaining.”
Whatever Marcoux and his team are going through, he promised it won’t effect the experience for rodeo attendees.
“It’s rodeo as usual but hopefully with a profit this year.”
The rodeo goes from July 17 to 19 and musical guests Lazy Saviours kicking off the event Friday night at 9 p.m.
More details will follow on the Boyle Ag Society Facebook page.
