Two young ladies are seeking to be crowned the new Cochrane Lions Rodeo Queen.
Lacey Blouin and Kesten Savage are being currently being judged by an independent panel on their horsemanship, public speaking, rodeo knowledge and personality.
Seventeen-year-old Lacey was born and raised in the Cochrane area and her parents met at the Cochrane Lions Labour Day Weekend Rodeo.
She's been attending the local rodeo since a young age and admires the important role played by rodeo queen.
"I have many memories from growing up here and coming to the rodeo and watching the rodeo queen. I always looked up to them growing up, so it would be exciting to be that role model for young girls and to be an ambassador for Cochrane and our Labour Day rodeo."
Her father has participated in the ranch rodeo in the past.
Nineteen-year-old Kesten is from Calgary and has visited Cochrane often.
"I have come to the rodeo before and I love to watch it," she says. "I've always wanted to represent a town and be part of their rodeo, heritage and history."
Like Lacey, she's ridden horses since a young age, and has been a show rider at the last two Calgary Stampedes.
Both admire the work of the Lions Club.
"I do love the history of the Lions Club and all the work they do in the community and for blindness prevention and the many other causes they support," says Lacey. "As rodeo queen, I could help bring more awareness to the Lions Club and what they do is a huge drive for me to do this."
"It would be kind of like representing home," says Kesten. "I don't live here, but I would love to be able to represent them and become a part of their heritage and their community because they have such a loving and welcoming community."
The new queen will be crowned on the first day of the FCA-sanctioned rodeo, Saturday, Aug. 31.
Prior to that, a fun-packed free day for the community is being held to kick-off the biggest weekend of the year.
With the support of generous sponsors and a partnership with the Calgary Stampede, the Lions are hosting a free community barbecue lunch, followed by the afternoon Slimdor Ranch Rodeo and a free evening concert headlined by country recording artist Mariya Stokes.