When it comes to Cochrane celebrations, no weekend is bigger than Labour Day Weekend.

Beginning tomorrow afternoon (August 30), grab your cowboy hat and boots before heading over to the Cochrane Lions Club Rodeo grounds as it will be the place to be all weekend long.

With this year being the 53rd anniversary, things run pretty smoothly, says Kevin Firkus, Lions Rodeo Co-Chair. Besides Mother Nature throwing them a curve ball every now and again, Firkus is looking forward to another great year of all things rodeo.

If you were wondering which day is the 'best of the best' to attend, Firkus, shares there isn't one. "Any day is a good day to come to the rodeo; they are all just as good as the others. Any day come and enjoy the sunshine! Sit on the bleachers, bring a lawn chair, or a blanket and lay on the grass, and have a great day at the rodeo."

One addition that has helped with an identifiable challenge, will be offered again this year. "We have people who have said the event is hard to access, so this year again we will have a shuttle bus go around to different spots, so I think we have cured that problem with adding that. So hopefully that will bring more people in." ***INFORMATION AT BOTTOM OF STORY

Lastly, if the rodeo this year manages to be profitable, all funds roll back into supporting Cochrane area initiatives. "We take all of our profits and put them back into the community. A couple of years ago, we gave away 100,000 dollars to the new swimming pool and 50,000 to the outdoor turf at Bow Valley High School. Through the year, we probably give anywhere from 100,000 to 120,000 dollars to various projects. It is  is the biggest reason we do this. We want to help the community, and we try to help out where we can."

Below is a list of events, (some) times, and descriptions, and cost to attend: 

Friday, August 30th- 16th ANNUAL SLIMDOR RANCH RODEO

"Contestants from around the area compete in teams of four. There is an open division and a ladies division and they do cattle handling skills. It is a free evening (thanks to sponsorship), always well attended, and if you want to watch horsemanship, it is a great evening to come out."

  • Gates open at 4 p.m.
  • Rodeo begins at 4:30 p.m.
  • Event Cost: FREE

Saturday, August 31st- RODEO

"We have a big Kid's Zone this year with vendors etc. Then we go into the rodeo at 1 o'clock, this year we have moved some events around. We used to always have Mounted Shooters before the rodeo, but this year we brought them into our performance for Saturday and Sunday. The rodeo starts the action, and we have everything that anybody could ask for regarding rodeo events. We have the kid's mutton busting and mini broncs, as well we have bull riding, junior bull riding, barrel racing, and bronc riding; everything you could imagine we have that day."

  • Gates open at 12
  • BS Bingo 12:30
  • Rodeo Begins at 1 p.m.
  • Mounted Shooters
  • Special Presentation in Memory of Danielle Hall
  • Rodeo Slack 5 p.m.
  • Cabaret/Dance at Lions Event Centre opens at 8 p.m.
  • TC & Company takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.
  • Event Cost: Adults $20, Seniors $15, Youth (13 to 17) $15, Cabaret $20

New this year is BS Bingo. The 'bullacious' event consists of a 20 x 20 pen of 64 squares (aka the Bingo Card) and a bull. Each square is sold to a contestant for $25, and they receive a lucky Wrangler square number and poster. The squares are randomly numbered just before the event, and the winner will be determined by the Bull when he "dumps" on a winning square. The Rodeo Royalty will determine the lucky winner, and the winning square receives 50% of the money from all the squares sold while the other half goes to the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Club. To purchase one of the last remaining squares text Celeste at 587-577-9701.

Rodeo Slack was held last year and is a time when the 'extra' contestants compete in the rodeo. With there, generally, being only 8 – 12 slots in each rodeo performance for each event, when more contestants enter, they compete in the 'slack.' "Last year we did this and it worked quite well. With every association in Alberta competing at our rodeo it adds more contestants than we can put in our performance."

Sunday, September 1st- RODEO

"The Wild Cow Race was brought in about five years ago, and it is entertaining. It is where three guys on each team have to try and get on the back of the cow and ride it, with all the gates opened at the same time..it is mayhem. We have guys from all over looking to enter this because they just have a riot; for people that watch it, it is pretty crazy."

  • Cowboy Church Service 10 a.m.
  • Gates Open at 12
  • Rodeo Begins at 1
  • Mounted Shooters
  • Richards Rodeo Stock
  • Trick Riders
  • Cowboy of the Year Award
  • Wild Cow Race
  • Event Cost: Adults $20, Seniors $15, Youth (13 to 17) $15

Monday, September 2nd- FLYOVER and RODEO

"On Monday, we have all the visiting Royalty ( four young ladies) that will head off to the parade for 10 o'clock. And we just found out that we will have a Flyover by the Royal Canadian Air Force to open up our rodeo."

  • Parade 10 a.m.
  • Gates open at 12
  • Flyover to open rodeo at 1
  • Crowning of Royalty
  • Buckle Presentations

 Shuttle Information:

With limited parking and not wanting people to drink and drive, utilizing the shuttle is highly recommended. You are asked to text the shuttle at 403-680-9394 for service otherwise the shuttle will not be there. 

  • Fireside School - 12:00 p.m. St. Peter's Lutheran Church on George Fox Trail -12:10 p.m. Killarney's Family Pub - 12:20 p.m.
  • Glen Eagles - 12:00 p.m. Cemetery - 12:15 p.m. Cochrane High - 12:20 p.m.

For the Saturday evening dance the shuttle service is being offered on a reservation system. Text as late as Saturday at noon, and confirmation pick up times will be texted back at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday to all that texted.