Arcola, are you not entertained?! It’s been 13 years since the Arcola Rodeo has been hosted, but a local committee decided to bring back the excitement and tradition of the rodeo in a big way. It was a highly celebrated and exciting day in Arcola, as they welcomed back a western tradition.
Those from the community and surrounding area were out in full force on Friday, Aug. 11, with standing room only – as the viewing stands were packed early.
“Thank you to everybody who showed up,” Mike Wyatt, President of the Rodeo Committee, stated as he welcomed the amassed crowd to the rodeo. “We have a great committee [Rod Cutler, Lisa Eaton, Marie Foy, Chad George, Chris Nidish, and Beth and Wade Westfall] and I can’t say enough good things about them. Thank you too, to the volunteers who put in countless hours to get everything ready. This giant tent set up behind me wasn’t here until last night, so thank you. The town has been absolutely amazing.”
"I would like to say a huge thank you to the committee, the volunteers, and of course, the amazing sponsors. And to Prime Time Rodeo and Bobby Stevens for bringing the stock."
Wyatt also took the time to mention Chris Fuller, who was a member of the committee that passed away, and dedicated the night’s Wild Horse Races to Fuller.
Earlier in the day, a Manitoba Rodeo Cowboy Association (MRCA) Barrel Racing event was hosted, while the evening entertainment got underway at 6:30 p.m. with a Canadian Cowboy Association (CCA) and MRCA sanctioned rough stock events – rough stock being the points events of bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding. Throughout these events a variety of other exciting non-sanctioned events took place including a round of barrel racing – which saw all competitors from southeast Saskatchewan take to the arena – wild pony racing, wild horse racing, junior steers, and mutton busting.
Whoops and hollers were heard throughout the evening as the crowd cheered on the competitors.
Local rodeo rough stock was provided by Jim Lawrence’s Prime Time Rodeo out of Kennedy, SK along with Bobby Stevens subcontracted out to provide the bucking bulls.
Writing on their Facebook page, Prime Time Rodeo stated: “It was a beautiful night to be back in Arcola, SK, Friday night doing what we love and putting on a great show! Huge thank you to the committee for bringing the rodeo back to town, to the sponsors for their support, and to the amazing loud-and-proud crowd that showed up to watch! We can’t wait to do it all again next year!”
Following the rodeo action was a cowboy cabaret hosted at the fairgrounds with Tim Romansin and Cattle Drive performing. Crowds stayed late, enjoying a night of entertainment and excitement as they celebrated the return of the Arcola Rodeo.
Organizers were delighted with the turn-out and are excited to have been able to bring back the local rodeo, which they hope to continue doing. They were very appreciative of the support they received in getting the rodeo going and to all that volunteered to help as well as everyone who showed up to be entertained.
"It was amazing," said Wyatt. "We definitely had a lot bigger turnout than we had planned. We had about 650 to 700 people through the gate and we thought that being the first year back on a Friday night that 350 would be good. And we doubled it. It's outstanding."
"I can't say enough about the community support."
It was a big comeback and a big success for the community.
"We're definitely not going anywhere and are here for the long run," added Wyatt. "We have new ideas on ways to improve it and are definitely in for another exciting year of planning."
"We'll be donating a portion to the Kisbey Fire Department this year, and funds will also go back into the arena upgrades we have planned, as well as to next year's rodeo."
"We've received some good constructive criticism like where to put the gate next year," says Wyatt. "And it's really been good, because if you don't ask the spectators what you can do to improve then they might not be back, so we've been constantly asking what we can do to improve it in the future."
"I can't say enough about the volunteers. The sponsors have been amazing and the spectators were great. To be honest, the support is overwhelming."
"It's amazing. And it was an unbelievable first year back."
2017 Arcola Rodeo Results:
Wild Horse Race: Mike Wyatt, Brett Nickler and Tyce White
Junior Steer Riding: Jason McTopher
Saddle Bronc Champion: Tyler Winter, Douglas, MB
Bareback Champion: Brady Bertram, Maple Creek, SK
Bullriding Chamption: Tyson Salmon, Stonewall, MB
Barrels Open: 1st - April Wilberham; 2nd - Crystal Dukart; 3rd - Cassie Eaton
