The Okotoks Pro Rodeo is set to return soon this month.
It's been taking place annually since 1991, and according to Ken Boniface, President of the Okotoks and Foothills Pro Rodeo Society, the event promises fun for everyone.
"It's August 22, 23, and 24 of this year. From mutton busting to bull riding, we've got a little bit for everybody," Boniface explains. "We are having our dance, our cabaret indoors this year, so we can kind of battle the chance of some thundershowers and stuff, which seems to happen that late August."
On top of the rodeo, Drew Gregory will be performing on Saturday night.
"He's going to come in and hit the stage Saturday night, just like Ken said, inside that new building," the rodeo announcer, Jonathan Cole, adds. "It'll be all set up for the dance inside, so we won't have to worry about any of the weather elements taking us out of the party scene."
The rodeo will have three events set up for the younger competitors.
They have Mutton Busting, Wild Pony races, and Dummy Roping.
According to Cole, this rodeo has a beautiful backdrop.
"Not only is it in Millerville, right on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, there's no more beautiful setting than to come out there and watch all of rodeo's absolute best. Now, it's a little too early in the game to make commitments on who will be there, but I'm pretty sure I can guarantee you'll see, you know, definitely a lot of Canadian champions, a lot of Canada's very best rodeo competitors. You're likely to probably see some world champions and many-time NFR qualifiers."
Not only that, but Cole says people can also expect to see some of the best buckin' horses in the game, including ones that have been selected to go to the Calgary Stampede, the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR), and the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in the States.
Because this is a Pro Rodeo, this rodeo helps contestants earn a spot at either the CFR or the NFR.
"So, this is the chance for all of these rodeo competitors to get in there for that last effort, that last push at the end of the season to get into the top 12 to go to the Canadian finals rodeo in Edmonton in October, and essentially get into that top 15 if they're sittin' on the bubble for that top 15 to go to the NFR in Las Vegas," Cole explains. "So, not only are you gonna see great rodeo action, you're gonna see a lot of intensity, because there's gonna be a lot of competitors battling it out to stay in the top 12, and there's gonna be a lot of competitors battling it out to get into the top 12."
To buy tickets or a weekend pass to the rodeo and see the full schedule, click here.