The Second Annual Outlaw Buckers & Oil Kings Match Bronc Riding event is just around the corner now, and there are still advance tickets available for the sale price.
Tickets are $30 if purchased online and $40 at the gate.
"We encourage everybody to visit the website and get their tickets ahead of time," shared organizer Robert Schmidt.
He said the event is all about creating a Stampede experience for the attendees, making it cost-effective for families by offering free admission for children 15 and under who are accompanied by an adult.
Schmidt said the event is two shows for one ticket price, as the VIP tents will open up to general admission ticket holders for the after-party following the event.
"We're going to open it up with our tailgate party starting at 4:30 p.m., presented by General Well Servicing and our friends at Fast Trucking. The gates are going to open, the bar will be open. There'll be some food available with food trucks on site, some catering for the VIP's, as well as some music playing."
At just after 5 p.m., Morgan Klaiber will take the stage to perform, sponsored by Great Plains Ford.
"She's coming from Medicine Hat, Alberta, she's an award-winning country musician on the rise."
This year's event has been rearranged to ensure a more Stampede-like experience for everyone.
"In the VIP tent, there will be a rider meet and greet and the band, as well as bar service and catering for our sponsors. But we don't want to leave out any of our general admission holders, so just outside the VIP tent, there's a bit of a party area and some picnic tables for everybody to do a little bit of tailgating," Schmidt shared. "You might not be able to get into the tent, but you'll be able to experience the whole Stampede experience.
The opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m., with the Match Bronc riding kicking off at 6:30.
"It's really not your regular rodeo. It's a pretty special event with sanction by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association as well as the Professional Rodeo Association. So it's the top 30 ranked riders in the world that could get into it. So it's based off of the world standings and we have some pretty big hitters coming to town with four-time world champion Zeke Thurston in the lineup; multiple NFR qualifiers, multiple Canadian champions."
"It's a unique experience for Saskatchewan because there's not a lot of pro rodeos in Saskatchewan, so to feature the top 30 in the world, essentially, is a pretty unique setup, and then to match them up on the Outlaw Buckers and C5 and Calgary Stampede Rodeo bucking horses, it's kind of the 'best of the best' and it's really exciting to have them all come to Weyburn, Saskatchewan."
He said the horses are drawn randomly through the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association office.
"They select 45 of them to come to Weyburn that day for the 30 rides, a couple of re-rides, if there are some, and then our championship round. So it's really cool. All 30 riders will nod their head in the long round of competition. Then the top eight come back for the championship round for a chance at $30,000 added prize money. It's a pretty big lure to attract the big fish."
Following the long round will be a charity auction, with proceeds going to STARS Air Ambulance.
Then, the halftime show will have more music by Morgan Klaiber as well as rodeo-style entertainment from Cole Robertson.
Just one champion will be named by the end of the night.
"Thirty riders, but only one champion. Last year it was Zach Dallas, a rookie who actually kickstarted, I would say, his entire career right here in Weyburn. He qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo and was claimed as and was crowned Rookie of the Year at the end of the season. And it all started with a big win in Weyburn, and he's coming back, so we're pretty pumped to have Zach back because he's an awesome individual as well."
As Schmidt mentioned, the after-party will be open to everyone for socializing, which should begin by 9:30 p.m.
