Colton Razzano is one of two people trying to bring a professional rodeo to Melfort – something that only happens in two places in the province.
“To me, it’s kind of sad that you look at Saskatchewan, with ranching and farming being the number one industry and we have two pro rodeos,” he said after holding an exploratory meeting at the Melfort Canalta Sept. 14. “Saskatchewan should represent its heritage as well.”
While Tisdale has a rodeo and Nipawin has a Professional Bull Riders show, neither one are sanctioned events of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association or the U.S.-based Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.
“I don’t want to just have a plain Jane rodeo that everyone sits there, watches it and goes home,” Razzano said. “I want to have the pyrotechnics, I want to have the good rodeo clowns, good announcers that keep people on the edge of seats, that make them talk about it for days to come, and make them come year after year because they had that much fun at the rodeo.”
The goal for what’s tentatively being called the Melfort Stampede is to have a three-day event with all seven rodeo events. There’d be 4,000 coming to watch each day.
Razzano said he understands that rodeos in Melfort have failed before, but he’s planning to hold a large event and cast a wide net.
“I’m not just looking just to bring people in from Saskatchewan, I’m looking to Manitoba, to Alberta, maybe as far away as B.C.,” he said. “I’m looking to bring as many people as I can in Melfort to help boost the economy for those three days.”
The organizer, who’s set up an non-profit organization for the event, is also looking for sponsors to contribute around $200,000, as well as five people passionate about rodeo to head up the event.
Razzano, who’s from just outside Star City, said he’s doing this because he has a passion for the sport.
“It’s a passion for rodeo and at the same time it’s a passion to bring money into a town that’s done a lot for my family,” he said.
