ST. PAUL – Hosting the Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals in St. Paul is an annual tradition, and one of the community’s biggest events of the year.
With rodeo week set to begin within the next week, the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce has been busy preparing to reintroduce an event that was once a well-known and well-attended event meant to kick-off a busy week in town.
The Chamber will be bringing back the rodeo supper kick-off, but with a slightly different format and name. Many members of the community are familiar with the Chamber’s kick-off supper – although the last kick-off supper took place in 2019.
This year, the Rodeo Week Kick Off Party will be held on Aug. 26 at the St. Paul Curling Rink.
Yvonne Weinmeier, executive director of the Chamber, said she received plenty of feedback from the community stating they missed having the opportunity to attend the Chamber kick-off supper. Last year, a golf tournament was held, but many businesses were unable to attend due to timing.
This year, the golf tournament was moved to take place on Farmers Day in June, in support of the local agricultural community, and the Chamber decided to bring the rodeo kick-off supper back to the table.
While it now has a new name, and a new date – previously taking place on the Monday night of rodeo week – the idea is the same. The supper will provide an opportunity for businesses to gather, network, and prepare for the “really busy week coming up,” said Weinmeier.
The party is also open to the public. “Everyone’s invited,” she said, although businesses are given an opportunity to sponsor a casino table. “We have blackjack, poker, and roulette tables coming to town and make a little friendly competition.” No real money will be used at the casino tables.
Throughout the night, businesses will encourage guests to play at their table and whoever makes the most “fun money” will be given an opportunity to win a media package sponsored by local businesses, explained Weinmeier.
Ultimately, the party is meant to encourage members of the community to mix and mingle on a fun night out.
For more information about tickets, contact the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce.
A week of fun and rodeo
The Rodeo Week Kick Off Party will ring in a week filled with fun, which of course include the Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals.
Earlier this year, the St. Paul Agricultural Society signed another three-year contract with the Lakeland Rodeo Association (LRA) to host the finals in St. Paul, ensuring the tradition continues. The LRA finals have been hosted in St. Paul since 1988.
While there will be pancake breakfasts, a chili cook-off, classic car show, and more events happening from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3, the rodeo itself will begin on Aug. 31 at the Clancy Richard Arena. The final performance will take place on Sept. 3 when this year’s winners will be named.
Rodeo performances are set for Thursday at 6:45 p.m., Friday at 6:45 p.m., Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Saturday night at 7 p.m., and Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Saturday morning’s rodeo parade is also a long-time tradition in St. Paul. This year’s theme was chosen in honour of the RCMP’s 150th anniversary. The parade, which is sure to include a long list of entries, will wind through the community, going along main street in some areas, and also passing by the hospital and long-term care facilities.
