New Wildrose rodeo organizers

New faces will be running this year’s Wildrose Rodeo Finals.

A committee is to be formed to organize September’s four-day Agrena spectacle.

A private meeting to set up the group has been slated for February 19. The Barrhead Leader understands enough people in the Barrhead Agricultural Society have stepped forward to fill positions.

The developments come with Barrhead entering the final year of its three-year contract to stage an event coveted by Whitecourt and Drayton Valley.

Bids to hold the rodeo in 2014 and beyond have to be submitted before September 2013.

News about the proposed rodeo committee emerged at last Thursday’s Barrhead &District Chamber of Commerce meeting at the multi-purpose room.

Ag society secretary Lynn Down said committee members would receive guidance and support from those experienced at organizing rodeos.

“They will have to shadow us,” she said.

Down welcomed the prospect of younger faces with fresh ideas coming forward to replace those who had become tired of shouldering the responsibility.

“I think the rodeo will stay in Barrhead,” she said, suggesting a new bid will be submitted.

She also disclosed that there were no plans to resurrect the Saturday night dance, which was dropped from last year’s rodeo because of Curling Rink fire regulations.

Down said the 2012 rodeo had been the best ever, with a record attendance and organizers reporting an unheard-of $5,000 profit.

Cowboys brushed aside the dance disappointment, she said, by creating their own entertainment, enjoying a western-style party with guitars.

Down said the Ag Society was grateful to Barrhead County for its contribution to the rodeo, which included equipment and manpower.

“The County has really stepped up to the plate,” she added.

Last Friday, Ag Society president Adolph Bablitz said he was delighted new blood was being injected into planning for the Wildrose rodeo.

After being at the heart of the rodeo for more than 20 years, he will be stepping back along with other Ag Society members.

“We’ve become pretty well burned out,” he said. “What we need is a new group with new ideas to revitalize the rodeo.”

Bablitz said the new committee would be attached to the Ag society and deliver reports to meetings. Funding requests will be authorized by the Ag society, he said.

“I am still the Ag society president and we foot the bill for what they want to do,” he added.

Bablitz thanked the Town and County for their support of the rodeo.

The old organizing group, he said, will be handing over the reins after an encouraging 2012.

On the eve of last year’s rodeo, Bablitz and Mayor Brian Schulz appealed for people to pack the Agrena and deliver a message to the Wildrose Rodeo Association that Barrhead wanted to keep the event despite the dance cancellation.

Their calls were heeded with big crowds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday enjoying a packed program of top-class action, including competitions in bareback, saddle bronc, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, ladies barrel racing and bull riding.

The junior events were also well received – steer riding, bull riding, pee wee barrel racing, novice horse riding and breakaway roping.

“There was a tremendous response,” said Bablitz. “Even with the good farming weather, people seemed to take time off to come along.”