The Lac La Biche Open Rodeo May 23 will be the first of three rodeos in town this summer. The event, aimed at luring in new riders who aren't members of a rodeo association, is part of what organizer Billy McDonald hopes is growth in the sport.
Hopefully, it actually will be their first rodeo.
The Lac La Biche Open Rodeo May 23 will be the first of three rodeos in town this summer. The event, aimed at luring in new riders who aren't members of a rodeo association, is part of what organizer Billy McDonald hopes is growth in the sport.
"It's growing, it's getting bigger all the time," McDonald said. "Lac La Biche is becoming the rodeo capital of the Lakeland, you might as well say, in the northeast. There's not too many communities that will host three rodeos in one summer, and in Lac La Biche it seems like the public really supports it."
The event, held at 7:00 p.m. at the Lac La Biche Ag Grounds, is sponsored by the Agricultural Society, which McDonald says is working towards an indoor venue that would permit rodeo events year round.
The event coming up on Friday, as an open competition, is expected to draw about 75-80 contestants in 10 events, many of whom are local.
"A lot of the young guys, lots of locals who are young guys starting up or wanting to get started could enter," McDonald said. "There is a lot of locals involved, from Athabasca, Boyle, Grassland, Plamondon."
Apart from the hunt for the $500 purse for winning an event, McDonald said it should be a good time for spectators.
"It's the family affair... a lot of the kids really enjoy it," McDonald said, saying a calf scramble and boot race is scheduled. "People can come out in the evening... and they still have their Saturday, Sunday to do whatever they've got planned."
McDonald said rodeos are also being planned in July and in August to coincide with Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days.
