It will be all things cowboy and cowgirl as the 25th annual Indoor Rodeo gets underway in the lakecity today at the Cariboo Memorial Complex.
Always popular, this year’s three-day event has activities geared to all ages.
The Gustafson’s Dodge Cowboy Carnival for children runs today from 9 to 11 a.m.
It’s a great way for kids to try a little of the roping and riding rodeo action they will see later in the day and get a feel for what its like to be a real cowboy or cowgirl.
Sponsored by Gustafson’s Dodge the completely free event is packed with fun for children aged 10 and under featuring dummy roping, stick horse barrel racing, horseshoes and a cowboy boot toss.
Of course the favourite bucking barrel will be back and there will be a real life pony returning for children to pet.
Children will also get a chance to meet the indoor rodeo clown Dennis Halstead and watch a Clint Gray magic show.
The first rodeo kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. with two more rodeo performances on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Rodeo slack runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m
“Rodeo remains as one of the true forms of family entertainment,” president Kelly Walls says in her invitation to the rodeo.
The rodeo is family oriented and part of the old west heritage which began at a ranching level when it was part of the job to ride, break horses, rope cattle and such, Walls says.
“Rodeo is such a big part of Williams Lake and the surrounding area that we have a large group of local cowboys and cowgirls that compete every year at our rodeo.”
There will be musical entertainment both Friday and Saturday evenings. On Friday, music by Akimbo will raise the roof from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday’s ever-popular barn dance features Lee Dinwoodie, whose inspiration stems from a deep kind of musical energy that comes from a solid family and tradition.
The Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees Tom Desmond, Bob Kjos, Coldwell Ranch and Charlie Coldwell will be honoured during the Sunday performance. The Lions serve breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings.