After being absent from the community for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rimbey Rodeo is scheduled to make a comeback in 2022.
The Central Alberta Rodeo Association (CARA) sanctioned event is scheduled to take place during its traditional second weekend of July, this year running July 8 to 10.
This will be the 56th edition of the town’s iconic event, with, restrictions permitting, all the usual features coming including the cabaret dance and parade.
The town has scheduled a parade for Sat, July 9 at 11 a.m. and a cabaret dance is set to take place at The Vault on the same day after the rodeo action concludes.
“We’re going to do our best to put on a good show to bring people to town,” said Hazel Street, one of the organizers of the event.
In the past, the rodeo has drawn as many as 450 competitors from around the province.
As part of the rodeo, another popular competition is coming back alongside it.
The Rimbey Rodeo Queens competition is coming back in 2022.
“This is what we need right now,” said Sherry Connors, the organizer of the competition.
Applications for the competition are open now and will be accepted until May 20.
After the application cut off in May, the competition will begin in earnest with the Rimbey Rodeo board meeting to review applications.
The girls will go through public speaking segments where they give their own speeches, followed by an impromptu topic given by a judge. They will also be judged on horsemanship and there will be “secret” judges in the community watching how the girls interact within the community.
“There’s someone always watching,” said Connors.
Once the board makes the final decision, the coronation will occur on the afternoon of July 9 at the rodeo.
This is done so that the past year’s rodeo royalty is also on hand and can help the new girls ease into the role.
The Rimbey Rodeo Queens actually award at three levels: the queen, a princess, and a junior miss who is in the 11 to 15 year-old age range.
“It helps encourage young girls,” said Connors.
According to Connors, a former Miss Rodeo Canada got her start as a Rimbey Rodeo junior miss.
“The opportunities are so amazing,” said Connors.
As part of their official duties, the rodeo queens get invited to a variety of rodeo and non-rodeo related events around the province, and Connors says that it looks great on a college resume as it teaches the girls to hold composure, manage time and responsibility.
The 2019 rodeo royalty, who are going to be in attendance for the 2022 rodeo, are Queen Allie Pals, Princess Mara Reimer, and Junior Ryhatta McConnell.
