RODEO ACTION VISITS TWO BC COMMUNITIES OVER MAY LONG WEEKEND
May 21 , 2010

There’s something about the words “rodeo” and “community” that just seem to go hand in hand, especially when it comes to a couple of rodeos out in B.C.

The Falkland Stampede, which celebrates an impressive 92 years this year and is located about 75 kilometres east of Kamloops, B.C., simply wouldn’t exist without the support of the community that bands together every year to make the event a reality, and the best rodeo they can put on.

“What’s unique about our rodeo is that it’s such a small town that everybody that lives here has to pull together to pull this thing off,” said Jason Churchill, rodeo manager for the Falkland Stampede, which gets under way for three days of rodeo on May 22.

“My grandpa was involved, my dad ran the rodeo for 30 years and now I’m doing it. And it’s not just my family. There are other families that are three generations deep that have helped with this rodeo.”

According to Churchill, the dozen-strong rodeo committee meets once a month, but when rodeo weekend rolls around, the volunteers roll in with it.

“There are only 600 or 700 people in this town, and it takes at least half of them to pull this rodeo off,” he said.

“It’s pretty much the only thing we have,” he noted. “Most small villages and cities collect taxes to keep their community buildings up and running. The only thing we have is our rodeo, so we have to make enough money off this rodeo to keep the community hall going and the seniors’ center and the skating rink and things like that. Our rodeo is our big fundraiser for the year.”

Across the water on Vancouver Island, the Luxton Pro Rodeo is celebrating 35 years and there is certainly no shortage of volunteers helping hold onto the tradition.

We have 120 (volunteers), and most of them are three-day workers. (And they do) everything. The gates, the dance, all our security, parking. Whatever it takes to put on a rodeo,” offers Sandy West, co-manager of the Luxton Pro Rodeo.

“And everybody has been running around trying to get the grounds and everything ready. It has been kind of insane here for many weeks!”

They all work hard to ensure that rodeo enthusiasts taking in the event, and the contestants making the trip, all have a great rodeo experience, and especially grateful that the contestants are willing to make the trip, given the costs of taking the ferry and the logistics involved for those transporting animals.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have the cowboys come over. It’s getting over on the ferry and if you don’t have anyone coming over… financially it is getting harder (each year) because we’re the only rodeo left on the island now. Even in the amateur circuit, there is no rodeo. We are the only ones left,” West revealed.

And yet, “The entries and everything look great. There’s a definite increase from last year.”

Which means more contestants, and more rodeo for the fans to enjoy. West, who has been the rodeo co-manager for 28 years, although she has been involved in helping out since the rodeo first started, is looking forward to another exciting weekend.

“It’s good family entertainment. The stands are all close to the arena and right in with the dirt and the dust and whatever the weather brings.”

Back in Falkland, Churchill is counting on the weather cooperating, and is confident in the weather report.

“It sounds like it’s going to be good. We’re supposed to have sun all three days!”

Both rodeos run through the Victoria Day Long Weekend, from May 22-24.