The Cochrane Lions Rodeo Royalty Committee is giving the public a closer look at the skills and poise required to wear the crown.
This Sunday, Aug. 17, the committee hosts its annual public speaking competition at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre. Three young women from the Madden, Airdrie, and Carstairs area — all with strong ranching or horse backgrounds — are vying for the title.
Emily Stevenson, Sonia van der Burgh, and Alivia Carriere hope to be crowned Cochrane Lions Rodeo Queen during the Labour Day Weekend Rodeo.
Committee member Monique Richardson says the event is a chance to showcase the program and prepare contestants for larger audiences.
“Last year we did a little marketing, but this year we thought, ‘Let’s up it a little bit,’” she said. “It’s good practice for the girls and gives more visibility to our program. If someone’s interested in running in a few years, they’ll know a bit about what it’s about.”
The competition begins at 1:30 p.m., with doors opening at 1:15 p.m. It typically runs about 90 minutes and includes a prepared speech, two impromptu questions drawn from a hat, and a “common impromptu” question, where contestants answer individually without hearing each other’s responses.
Topics range from Cochrane and its rodeo to broader themes about the Western way of life.
Richardson says the event is about more than competition.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Cochrane Rodeo, the Lions, and our Western heritage,” she said. “Afterwards, people can mingle, meet the contestants, and say hello to Lions Rodeo Queen Lacey Blouin, who will emcee the event.”
The public speaking contest is one of several judged events leading up to the crowning of the new queen on Saturday, Aug. 30 — the opening day of the Cochrane Lions Labour Day Weekend Rodeo.