Friday through Sunday, cowboys and cowgirls will take over the Estevan Exhibition Grounds as part of the Canadian Cowboys Association rodeo weekend.
Weather permitting, the weekend always draws huge crowds to see bareback, saddle bronc, tie down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, team roping and, of course the bull riding.
“The Calamity Cowgirls' halftime show is a huge draw for us,” said organizer Byron Stepp, who also pointed out the Mud Run is taking place at the same time.
“Also, on Sunday we have what we call a ranch rodeo, which is a real treat to see a little bit closer to real ranch stuff where you load a steer in a trailer, et cetera,” Stepp said. “It's just a fun time because you don't get to see what a real rancher does and what real ranch life is about.”
The events for the ranch rodeo include a trailer relay race, calf scramble and wild cow milking, among other events.
Stepp said they're trying to have celebrities take part in the event and are still raising money for prizes for purses for the events.
The ground will be ready to go and painted a few days before the event. The draw is already posted on the CCA website.
“There's also the light horse show going on at the same time so it's a very very busy weekend for us,” Stepp said. “If we get good weather, we'll get about 2,000 for Friday night and close to the same for Saturday. But then you've got all your competitors, all your animals. I would say you'd see about 4,000-5,000 people on the grounds all at one time.”
While bull riding is a draw, Stepp said a lot of people will come for the whole rodeo show experience.
“There's some local competitors that are involved in the team roping and the barrel racing, so there's some local people in it. There's some local people who are finishing up their points so they can get the finals or a championship.
“Yeah, it's the same rodeo as always but there's all sorts of fun stuff going on,” Stepp said.
Gates at both the north and the south entrance of the grounds will be open. The show starts at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. The Ranch Rodeo goes at 1 p.m. Sunday.
