A large crowd numbering over 300 people turned out on Saturday for the Sangudo Bull Bash, an evening of entertainment devoted entirely to bull riding.
Hosted at the Sangudo Sports Grounds, the Bull Bash featured a total of 23 riders, all competing in the Bull Riders Canada circuit. Tim Lippsett of Saskatchewan was the big winner of the bull bash, being one of only three riders to stay on their bulls for a full ride.
This is the third year that the Bull Bash has been hosted, said Lora Nash of the Sangudo and District Agricultural Society.
Nash said they used to hold a rodeo in the community, but as time went on, it got to be a lot of work and there were fewer and fewer volunteers.
She said single-day events like this “have really gained popularity” because they are less costly and require less work.
And the people seem to love them: Bull Riders Canada has only been around for two years but they have around 40 to 50 events over the summer, Nash said, adding, “It’s really gaining popularity, for sure.”
She acknowledged that some of the older people around Sangudo were upset with the loss of the rodeo. Being from a rodeo family herself, she can understand the sentiment.
However, there are lots of opportunities to see rodeos in the nearby communities of Drayton Valley, Mayerthorpe, Barrhead, Fort Assiniboine, Whitecourt, Stony Plain or Evansburg.
Nash said the Bull Bash draws people from several of these communities and even as far away as Spruce Grove.
“To offer something unique in the area is ... kind of appealing, because people seem to be supporting it,” she said.
The days’ events also featured a small parade, old-fashioned carnival games for children in the afternoon, a dinner hosted by the Sangudo fire department and a dance.
There was also a slo-pitch ball tournament featuring a total of eight teams. The Hoefels team from Onoway ended up as the winners.
Nash said it was a good day, adding that they were thankful to Mother Nature for giving them good weather.
“I think it was a great way to showcase Sangudo and its community spirit, because it takes a lot of volunteers to put on an event like this,” she said.
