April has come to a close, and the days are counting down to the return of the annual Keremeos Rodeo.
The annual event is back with its full roster of events for the May long weekend.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e pretty much ready, but itsa国际传媒檚 always the little, last minute things,sa国际传媒� said Dave Barker, president of the Keremeos Rodeo Association.
The 2023 rodeo was the first back since the COVID-19 pandemic, and while plenty of people made their way down to it over the weekend, the weather did throw a small wrench into things.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檝e never seen it rain that hard in such a short time,sa国际传媒� said Barker. sa国际传媒淭hen on Monday, which is normally a big day for us, the Penticton area was raining so those people didnsa国际传媒檛 come down, but it was nice here.sa国际传媒�
Whether the weather cooperates or pulls a repeat performance, the association is gearing up to have more people come out for the weekendsa国际传媒檚 events. The organizers are bringing in additional temporary bleachers for seating for the weekend.
Permanent additional seating is a goal for the association, but itsa国际传媒檚 long-term due to the expense required, particularly as the event itself gets more costly to run each year.
sa国际传媒淭he only reason we can keep this rodeo going is because of all the sponsorships, itsa国际传媒檚 getting so costly to put on,sa国际传媒� said Barker. sa国际传媒淚nsurance just keeps getting worse and worse, and then you have to put up enough prize money to make it attractive for the cowboys.sa国际传媒�
An army of sponsors and supporters has been key in bringing the event back and keeping it running, and this year donations from local businesses will be put up in a silent auction to raise further funds.
The association is working to set up a 50/50 deal for 2025 to raise funds towards permanent bleachers.
The full array of events will be back over the weekend, including the return of ranch bronco riding, which debuted in 2023.
sa国际传媒淵eah, that was a hit that worked out well for us here,sa国际传媒� said Barker. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 entertaining, because they have just a regular stock saddle and there arensa国际传媒檛 many rules; they can hang on with two hands, they can wear wooly jeans or chaps, they could have a lariat passed through the saddle.sa国际传媒�
The rodeo itself runs on May 18, 19 and 20, starting at 1 p.m.
The barbecue rib dinner returns on May 19, with admission a separate $22. After the dinner, the association will be putting on their dance with the same DJ as last year.
sa国际传媒淚 happened to be at the door for the whole night and I thought, sa国际传媒榤y gosh, we got a lot of people in there.sa国际传媒� So I went and the dance floor was wall to wall people, hardly anybody sitting,sa国际传媒� said Barker.
The chicken catch, for kids four to nine, is back on Sunday May 19, as well as the calf scramble for kids aged five to 11 on Monday.
The Second Shot Drill Production Team out of Maple Ridge will be returning to perform at the rodeo, and the parade is also back and once again returning to Main Street on Monday, May 20.
The parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. People interested in registering to participate can still do so by contacting Chrysty Quaedvlieg via email through keremeosrodeoparade@gmail.com.
