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The Airdrie Pro Rodeo opens today, launching five days of competitions, concerts and family programming at the Airdrie Rodeo Grounds.
Running June 27 to July 1, the annual event includes pro rodeo performances, junior events, live music, a vendor marketplace, and Family Day activities in support of the Airdrie Food Bank.
June 27: Opening night
Gates open at 7 p.m. Friday. A cabaret featuring Airdrie-based country musician Brandon Lorenzo is scheduled for 8 p.m. A $10 cover charge applies.
June 28: Family Day and food drive
On Saturday, admission to Family Day events is free with a non-perishable food donation for the local food bank. The marketplace opens at 2 p.m., with gates at 3 p.m. and the junior rodeo starting at 4 p.m. Lorenzo returns for another 8 p.m. cabaret performance.
Scheduled junior rodeo events include pole bending, barrel racing, breakaway roping, wild pony races, steer riding and mutton busting. A children’s activity area will feature a bouncy castle, sandbox, face painting, chalk board and dummy roping.
June 29–July 1: Rodeo events and cabarets
Slack events begin the morning of June 29. According to organizers, slack provides overflow competition space for registered rodeo contestants. Events include tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing.
From June 29 to July 1, daily programming follows a similar format:
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June 29 & 30:
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3 p.m. – Gates open
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4 p.m. – Marketplace
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6 p.m. – Junior rodeo
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7 p.m. – Pro rodeo performance
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Evening cabaret to follow
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July 1:
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1 p.m. – Marketplace
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2 p.m. – Gates open
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3 p.m. – Junior rodeo
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4 p.m. – Pro rodeo performance
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Cabaret after final event
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According to the Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association, cabarets begin "as soon as the last bull bucks."
Junior rodeo registration
Junior rodeo is open to youth ages five to 14. Advance registration is required for most events, except the calf and sheep scrambles. Registration opened June 1. Confirmation is required prior to participation.
Marketplace vendors
Local vendors include Baredown Brand, Caballine Boutique, Canadian Safety Train, Cattleman’s Jerky, Dorothy Louise, Grey Horse Clothing, Muscle Check, Noble Hides Fine Leathers, Serendipity Pops, That’s Natural Collective, Tumbleweed Brand and Wax Firefly.
Chute tours
Chute tours run June 29 and 30 at 5 p.m., and July 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person, with limited availability.
Tours include a guided walk-through of bucking and timed event chutes, information on rodeo judging and scoring, meet-and-greets with contestants and animals, a souvenir, and access to a dedicated viewing section.
Shuttle service and location
A free shuttle will operate between the rodeo grounds and two Airdrie locations: Superstore and Balzac Brewing.
The rodeo grounds are located 10 kilometres west of Airdrie on Highway 567. Signage is posted on the south side of the highway.
The Airdrie Pro Rodeo is organized by the Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association, a non-profit, volunteer-led group focused on preserving rural traditions.
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