Taber off to the rodeo

It is that time again as the Taber Outdoor Rodeo gets ready to celebrate its 76th birthday this weekend starting on Friday.

“We have the same stock contractor as last year. The good thing about him is he is in partnership with a couple of other contractors. That makes it good because it assures we are going to have good stock with three contractors to draw from,” said Barry Jensen, president of the Taber Pro Rodeo Association.

The rodeo kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m., then again on Saturday at 6 p.m. with a Sunday opening at 2 p.m. at the rodeo grounds located 1.5 miles north of Highway 3 (Park Road).

While the rough-stock events like bull riding and saddle bronc with top cowboys on the circuit prove to always be crowd favourites along with the little ones doing mutton busting, there has been a high number of entries in the timed events this year.

“We’re up in all of our timed-events this year. We are going to have to run a slack this year,” said Jensen. “The rodeo has some really good entries this year.”

A trick rider is coming back to perform at the Taber Pro Rodeo with a midway a new attraction out on the grounds. Wristband night for the midway goes Friday from 3-11 p.m.

With the Heritage Parade working in unison with the Taber Pro Rodeo Association, Jensen highlighted the many positive relationships that will make for a fun weekend for everybody.

“We are very fortunate we get to partnership with the Chamber of Commerce on this parade. It’s a real privilege to be able to do that,” said Jensen. “Also without the sponsors an supporters of our rodeo, we could not do this without them.”