BRONKS, HONKY TONKS AND BIG SCREEN TVS
April 15 , 2009

Three days of rodeo action are rolling into Medicine Hat, Alta. and, from April 16 through 18, the Broncs and Honky Tonks Indoor Pro Rodeo will play host to cowboys and cowgirls from both sides of the border competing in the six major events, as well as team roping and boys steer riding.

Last year’s Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) sanctioned event entertained approximately 4,500 attendees at the Cypress Centre Fieldhouse. This year, the rodeo, which is also approved by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), is even more accessible to fans of the sport than ever.

“We’ve really tried to promote the beer gardens and watching the rodeo on the big screen. It’s open for families, and it’s only $5 a person,” said rodeo chairman Brian Palichuk. “We just thought, in light of the recession, if they could come in and enjoy the rodeo live on big screen TV, that, to me, seemed quite a bargain.”

The beer gardens open at 6 p.m., with each evening’s rodeo performances commencing in live time at 7 p.m. As an added incentive to get would-be spectators out to the Fieldhouse this weekend, a pack of 10 beer garden tickets can be purchased for just $15 and include admission to the family-friendly Honky Tonk Cabaret, which features a DJ on Thursday night and live music from the Rob Hudec Band on Friday and Saturday.

Rodeo fans that prefer more dust with their true grit can pick up tickets at the door or in advance. These are $20 for adults and $15 for children 15 and under. They too include admission to the Honky Tonk Cabaret and are available at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede office, customer service at the Medicine Hat Mall, or online at www.mhstampede.com.

And don’t forget to check out the 3D Jackpot Barrel Race on Saturday morning at 10.

“This will be the third year for it now,” explained Palichuk. “What it is, we have dirt in the arena, so we may as well use it when we’re not hosting the rodeo.” Admission is free, he added, and gives the barrel racers a shot at an extra $1,500.