Skip to content

Bull show and sale; rodeo this weekend

Ranching life will take centre stage in the city this week with two big annual events.

Ranching life will take centre stage in the city this week with two big annual events; the 78th Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale and the 25th annual Indoor Rodeo.

The 78th annual Bull Show and Sale gets underway this Thursday, April 16 with the bull show starting at 1 p.m. at the stockyards.

Wilf Smith, the regional manager for B.C. Livestock, says the show and sale is a big event in the ranching industry and he expects 130 bulls will be up for sale, giving ranchers a selection of breeds to choose from including Red and Black Angus, Hereford, Simmental and Gelbvieh.

“This is the largest all-breed bull sale in B.C.,” Smith said, noting all bulls for sale are put through a soundness evaluation by a reputable cattleman and veterinarian before sale day. “Nothing but the best come here.”

Three Hereford heifers from Sunnybrae Farms out of Salmon Arm will also be sold to the highest bidder at the event.

And with cattle prices at an all-time high, sellers are expecting a good sale with bull prices running in the neighbourhood of $5,000 to $7,000, even as high as $12,000 per bull this year.

After the bull show Thursday afternoon, buyers and sellers will attend a social at the curling rink Thursday evening with the bidding getting underway Friday at 11 a.m.

An agricultural trade show will also be set up at the stockyards displaying everything from the latest in tractors and equipment to fencing and feed.

“Anything to do with ranching.”

The 25th annual Indoor Rodeo is also gearing up for a western weekend with Gustafson’s Cowboy Carnival for children Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and the rodeo kicking off Friday night at 6 p.m.

Two more rodeo performances will follow Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.

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 Alberta’s own Lee Dinwoodie (see page 10 for a full story on his musical bio).

Safe rides are available both nights from Adventure Charters.

The Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees Tom Desmond, Bob Kjos, Coldwell Ranch and Charlie Coldwell will be honoured Sunday.



Angie Mindus

About the Author: Angie Mindus

A desire to travel led me to a full-time photographer position at the Williams Lake Tribune in B.C.’s interior.
Read more