Entries for the second annual Logan Parent Memorial Rodeo are now open.
The rodeo, set to take place on June 9 and 10 at the 100 Mile Outriders Arena, is looking for barrel racers and bull riders to compete on both days. Cindy Parent, Logan’s mother and one of the lead organizers, said they’re excited to be bringing this event back for the community. The team organizing the rodeo has spent the last few weeks fixing up the Outriders arena and organizing sponsors for the big day.
“It’s a different feeling than last year because I didn’t know how successful it was going to be, so I was overwhelmed with last year’s success,” Parent said. “Ultimately what we want to do here is make Logan proud. If this was an event he would ride in, he would enjoy it and say ‘That was a damn good time, I’ll come back again.’ It’s going to be a fun, action-packed two days.”
Bull riding runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with registration to compete set at $100 per day. There will be a $2,500 prize for the top rider each day, as well as a $500 bounty bull. Parent said those looking to compete can reach out to bullfighter Cody Call on Facebook.
The rodeo is held in memory of Logan Parent, a young South Cariboo bull rider who committed suicide in 2020 due to brain damage he received while bull riding. Several of his friends and family came together in the aftermath of his death to organize the rodeo as a way to raise money and awareness about the impacts of concussions on rodeo performers’ brains.
Parent said that her son loved riding bulls, so organizing a bull riding event seemed a natural way to keep his memory alive. This year they’ve expanded the barrel racing portion of the event with the help of longtime barrel racer Bobbi-Jo Dayman.
“I’m super excited to be invited on board. It’s been a little intimidating, but it’s been a great adventure so far,” Dayman said. “Lots of people have been asking questions and reaching out to me to get their entries in, so it looks like it’s going to be a great weekend.”
Last year the barrel races were used as a way to fill time between bull riding events. With Dayman in charge, barrel racing will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with the top 15 racers competing in a jackpot race during the rodeo.
“It will actually be sanctioned B.C. Barrel Racing Association races,” Dayman said. “It’s taking on a life of its own, so it’s super exciting.”
Registration forms can be found online and Dayman said the entry fee is $40 for adults, $30 for seniors, $30 for juniors and $20 for pee-wee racers. She encourages anyone into barrel racing to reach out to loganparentfoundation.com.
“Everybody starts somewhere, just come out and have a great time. There may be top racers but there is going to be encouragement and cheering for everybody,” Dayman said.
A weekend pass to the rodeo for adults will cost $35 ($25 for seniors and students), with kids under five getting in for free. A ticket for a single day costs $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Parent hopes to raise at least $50,000 from the event.
All money raised from the rodeo goes to the Logan Parent Foundation, which funds scholarships and supports organizations working to help those with concussions. Earlier this year the foundation donated $10,000 to the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre’s mental health services.
“We try to keep the money local as much as possible,” Parent said.
In that spirit, Parent said that Pam’s Food Services and the 100 Mile House Wranglers will be running the concession over the weekend. Sunrise Sam and Sam JR are also set to make an appearance, and a beer garden will be set up on scene.
Parent is organizing an after-party at Jake’s Pub on both nights. Friday will be open to the public, while Saturday will be a private event with tickets going for $30 each. She added they’re still looking for a community group to provide a safe ride home service.
So long as they have good weather, Parent said she is confident the event will be another success.
“I think it’s going to be really good because more people want to come. We have kind of made a little bit of a name for ourselves, so we’ve had people wanting to enter since January,” Parent said.
“We have had a lot of volunteers, and we so appreciate them, because without them we wouldn’t be able to put this on.”
patrick.davies@100milefreepress.net
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