Rocky Pro Rodeo returns for 52nd year, June 4-7

The West Country will be celebrating the 52nd Rocky Pro Rodeo June 4-7 in Rocky Mountain House.

This year’s rodeo features the addition of a fresh slate of trick riders – Gracie Piper and Shelby Burns — who will both be making their North Saskatchewan River Park debut.

To add to the excitement, the weekend will feature two rodeo announcers instead of one — Dave Paulson and Johnathan Cole. Organizers hope the duo will bring a whole new dynamic to this rodeo.

Up-and-coming announcer Khoal O’Neill will hold down chuckwagon action all four days.

Back again, one ticket gets you access to all the events for any one given day. In years past, attendees would have to purchase a separate ticket for rodeo events and chuckwagons.

General admission tickets are available online, while seniors and student tickets can be purchased at Scotiabank.

The weekend begins Thursday June 4 at 4 p.m. with chuckwagons. The chucks will run all four days, while rodeo performances start at 6 p.m. on June 5.

Mutton bustin’ returns Saturday and Sunday with a full roster of little cowboys and cowgirls already signed up.

Top rodeo performers and stock

The rodeo is part of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) circuit, which means spectators will see the same performers and stick seen at other large rodeos, such as the Ponoka Stampede and Calgary Stampede.

“Our contestants who come, this is their career,” says rodeo chair Briana Kantor. “This is stock for pro athletes.”

Rodeo2 — Chuckwagon performance at 2025 Rocky Pro Rodeo. (Gralyn J Photography)

Entertainment

Along with rodeo performance and chucks, plenty of on site entertainment is on tap.

Cheap Charlie’s will also be a hopping venue with Scott Laitre performing Thursday night, Cole Martin returns again this year for a Friday night show, while Mike and the Boys take the stage Saturday night.

Back by popular demand, North Saskatchewan River Park will also feature the return of the Wild West Market, which Kantor says will feature some new offerings.

The Rocky Sea Cadets will host their pancake breakfast at the grounds on Saturday morning, and there will be a cowboy church service on the Sunday.

Parade to follow same route as last year

The rodeo parade returns Saturday June 6 with a 2026 theme of “100 Years of Royal Canadian Legion”.

For music lovers, parade chair Shane Closs says not only are the Red Deer Royals marching band making their return after a two-year hiatus, but the sea cadets will also have a musical performance.

Closs confirm it will follow the same, familiar route around Rocky Mountain House as in years past.

As always, there’s no cost involved for anyone wishing to enter a float in the parade. Marshalling begins at 9 a.m. near the Rocky Rec Centre.

On a typical rodeo day, thousands of spectators pack the stands, with Kantor estimating as many as 5,000 to 8,000 visitors came through town for the 2025 event.

“We had a lot of people last year.”

First started in 1972, the rodeo has been a fixture in the region every year except two years where pandemic restrictions and a venue move shuttered the event.

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