It is like the Olympics without an opening ceremony, strawberries without cream, peanut butter without jelly, sugar without spice, Romeo without Juliet.
Some things are meant to go together and we can only think of them in partnership. Such is the case with the Wildrose Rodeo Finals and the rodeo dance.
The two have been in harmony for as long as most people in Barrhead can remember. They complement each other: while one provides intense competition, danger and thrills aplenty, the other offers relief and a chance to let off steam. This year, however, is different. This year there will be no dance.
For the first time in 25 odd years, a live band has not been invited to play. There will be no Saturday night knees-up as cowboys dance, drink and have fun before returning to the arena on Sunday morning.
Why? Because the Curling Rink has been deemed an unsafe venue for the 400 or so people who usually attend the function. The rink has a legal capacity of 149 – any more would breach fire regulations.
This is a story involving three parties locally: dance organizers The Barrhead Agricultural Society, the Town of Barrhead and the fire department.
It is a story where each side has a point. Yet it is surely a story which should have a happy ending, given a bit of flexibility, diplomacy, commonsense and a spirit of cooperation. Given the need to put Barrhead’s interests first.
The Ag Society’s frustration is easy to understand. The rink has been the historic home of the dance, with the granting of a licence an annual formality. For traditionalists it is difficult to contemplate holding the event elsewhere.
As for the Town of Barrhead, the Mayor Brian Schulz is right when he says “our hands are tied” in view of Fire Chief John Whittaker’s recommendation.
Finally, there is Whittaker’s position. As someone who has witnessed the devastation wrought by fire, he knows the importance of codes and regulations. They are in place for a reason: to protect the public.
One can only imagine the uproar if a fire did break out at the Curling Rink during a dance and people were harmed. There would be demands for the Fire Chief’s head. So there we have it. An impasse was reached and the dance cancelled. Did something happen to upset the tenor of discussions? Why was there no resolution? Why can’t the dance be held at a school gym, community hall or outside in a marquee? One can only speculate. What is clear is that Barrhead has emerged the biggest loser.
The town is in the second year of a three-year contract to stage the prestigious four-day Agrena even . It is known that Whitecourt and Drayton Valley are interested in hosting the rodeo.
The cancellation of the dance can only benefit Barrhead’s rivals. Let us hope it returns next year.
For 30 years the Fort Assiniboine trail ride has helped those with multiple sclerosis.
Almost all who have been involved, whether they were riders or volunteers, have somehow been touched by M.S. For this reason their dedication has been unwavering.
Over the past three decades, the event has been a fun tradition that has aided both research and local individuals in need. Now the Barrhead Friends of the M.S. Clinic Association has decided to pull the reins on the ride. While the decision is a cause for sadness, we should remember those fantastic 30 years.
The Barrhead Friends were truly trailblazers and we should all say – thanks for the ride.
