Officials with the annual Rocky Pro Rodeo Parade have announced the theme for this year’s event: Celebrating 50 Years of Pro Rodeo in Rocky Mountain House.
Shane Closs, president of the Rocky Stampede Board, says interest and attendance at the rodeo has only grown over the decades, especially since the move to North Saskatchewan River Park in 2007.
“Going from the smaller venue we had uptown to the facility we have now, we have seen numbers grow,” says Closs. “With the amazing weather we had last year, we had probably over 3,000 people at the pony chuckwagon event.”
Closs says that attendance number is about double what the rodeo would see in the 90s or 2000s.
Closs adds the rodeo holds a special place in the West Country as not only a place to catch up with neighbours, but a place to meet visitors from out of town.
First started in 1972, organizers say the Rocky Pro Rodeo has been an early summer celebration every June except two pandemic years where restrictions sidelined the event.
Longtime favourite events include pony chuckwagons, musical entertainment at Cheap Charlie’s, the Sunday pancake breakfast, and of course, the parade.
Organizer and parade marshal Ernie Closs says they hope that public comes down to enjoy and even be part of the parade.
“We don’t charge anyone to be in the parade,” says Closs. “Come out anytime after 8:00 a.m. and we’ll line you up in the parade.”
Closs adds participants can decorate their floats in line with the “50 Years” theme, but it’s not required.
“The way I look at it, everyone can just come out and enjoy the weekend,” says Closs.
The Rocky Pro Rodeo Parade will take place on Saturday, June 8.
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