BENALTO CELEBRATES 93 YEARS OF 'UP CLOSE' RODEO ACTION
July 8 , 2010

“In the little community of Benalto, it’s tough to make a pro rodeo go,” admits John Bystrom, vice president of the Benalto Agricultural Society.

But as that community celebrates the 93rd annual Benalto Fair & Stampede, it’s clear they’re doing something right.

Bystrom, who is also the rodeo manager, thanks Mother Nature.

“We’ve been very fortunate over the years with weather, and that’s kind of what keeps our head above water,” he says of the three-day rodeo.

But he’s quick to add that there’s more to it than just a fine midsummer day.

“It’s a really good atmosphere here. We’re just (east) of the Rockies, so you can see the mountains on a clear day, and we’ve got bush around us. It’s just a real nice setting, and it’s a good rodeo.”

The fact that the Benalto Fair & Stampede is just a couple hours up the road from the world famous Calgary Stampede only helps.

“Being on opening weekend of (the Calgary) Stampede has always been a benefit for us. It’s nothing but positive,” he smiles.

“The competitors that come up for Calgary… they come to Benalto, too,” he says, noting that some of those athletes include saddle bronc riders Jim Berry and Dustin Flundra, bareback riders Kelly Timberman and Kyle Bowers, tie-down ropers Matt Shiozawa and Tuf Cooper, and barrel racers Lisa Lockhart and Lindsay Sears.


He also notes that many rodeo enthusiasts in the large city to the south of Benalto also make the trek and take advantage of the opportunity in watching professional rodeo athletes compete up close.

“That’s one comment we hear consistently every year is they can’t believe how closer they are (to the rodeo action),” Bystrom nods, then grins. “People really like that.”