The new Cochrane Lions Rodeo flag was raised this morning at The Station to launch what is shaping up to be the largest ever Labour Day Weekend Rodeo in Cochrane.
Mayor Jeff Genung and Lions Rodeo Queen Riley Larsen had the honour of raising the flag, viewed by many others involved in the rodeo week and Cochrane Discovery Days.
"We've completely rebranded ourselves and we're trying get out there and make it an inclusively weekend for the community," says Lions president and rodeo co-chair Chris Connon. "We've teamed up with Discovery Days and we thought what better way to get everything going than to put up the flag at The Station today."
It's not the only place the flag will be visible.
"The flag is on all the light standards up and down the (Hwy.) 1A as well. We want the community to embrace the spirit of the weekend."
Today the rodeo weekend kicked off with a free appreciation day for the community.
A free barbecue lunch is being served until 2 p.m., followed by the Slimdor Ranch Rodeo. In the evening a free concert is being held at the rodeo grounds featuring country recording artist Marya Stokes.
The FCA-sanctioned Labour Day Weekend Rodeo kicks off Saturday (Aug. 31) at 1 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m.
The inaugural Cochrane Discovery Days also gets underway today with a mixture of 20 free-by-donation and ticketed events.
