Barrhead, your rodeo needs you!

Just three days before the biggest event in its calendar, Barrhead has been urged – Come out and support your rodeo.

Mayor Brian Schulz and Barrhead Agricultural Society president Adolph Bablitz appealed for people to pack the Agrena for the Wildrose Rodeo Finals.

They hope a massive turnout will deliver a message that Barrhead loves and wants to keep the four-day event which starts on Thursday.

Their call follows the cancellation of the Saturday night rodeo dance after organizers were unable to hold it in the Curling Rink because of fire regulations.

“I would encourage people who want to support the rodeo to come out and fill seats,” said Schulz last Friday.

“They can enjoy the unbelievable talents in our area that most people can only watch on television.”

Bablitz said the scrapping of the dance – a $6,000 money-earner – made public support even more important.

“We encourage people to help us, especially this year,” he said. “I understand this is a farming community and there is haying to be done, as well as combining, but it would be great if people could take time out to watch some performances.”

He added that big crowds would provide morale-boosting momentum as Barrhead looks to bid again for the rodeo.

The town is in the second of a three-year contract to stage the rodeo, which attracts cowboys and cowgirls from all over the area. It is known Drayton Valley and Whitecourt are interested in hosting it.

This year marks the 32nd edition of the Wildrose finals, which have been held in Barrhead since 1986.

A packed program of top-class action has been lined up, with competitions in bareback, saddle bronc, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, ladies barrel racing and bull riding.

The junior events include steer riding, bull riding, pee wee barrel racing, novice horse riding and breakaway roping. Professional rodeo clown and barrelman Dennis Halstead will provide entertainment between the acts.

For about 25 years a traditional weekend highlight has been the dance, attracting up to 400 partygoers to the Curling Rink. The Ag Society says the rink has been licensed in the past for such high numbers.

However, Fire Chief John Whittaker says dance organizers have been deviating from the 2006 Fire Code as the rink is only authorized to hold up to 149 people.

“The code is there for a reason, it is there for public protection and we intend enforcing it,” he said recently.

Whittaker said the Fire Department had tried working with the Ag Society, proposing that an alarm system be rented for the event – something that would cost a lot less than buying one.

It had also been suggested that the dance be held at alternative venues. But the society was unwilling to look beyond the Curling Rink, said Whittaker.

Two weeks ago Bablitz said the there was a mood of frustration on his board over the licensing restriction and it had reached the point where members were wondering whether it was worth Barrhead bidding for a future rodeo.

Last week, Schulz said he would be attending the event, as he did every year. He added he had nothing but admiration for the performers.

“They risk their bodies for our entertainment and I commend them,” he said. “I look forward to a very successful rodeo at the weekend.”

Schulz also praised the Ag Society and the Wildrose Association, saying spectators could enjoy quality entertainment which echoed a bygone era.

“This is man versus animal,” he said. “It is better than any shooting video game.”

Schulz hailed the facilities in Barrhead, including the score clock, installed so people could be kept informed about everything happening in the rink.

Last Friday, Bablitz said chips and dirt had been put into the Agrena in preparation for the rodeo. The next job was to place three inches of sand on top.

“By Monday, everything will be set up,” he said.

Bablitz hoped people would come out on all four days.

Usually, he said, Sunday saw a drop in attendance as church became the number one priority. While this was understandable, he encouraged people to find some time for the rodeo.

He pointed out the wide variety of entertainment on offer, including Kids’ Day on Saturday.

“There will be prizes for the kids,” he said. “It will be a great time for families.”