BONNYVILLE – The Lakeland Extreme Bulls and Broncs event organizers approached both the MD of Bonnyville and the Town of Bonnyville for financial support during their respective April 8 council meetings, stating that they aim to make it an annual event.
The event is set for May 9 and 10 at the Cold Lake energy Centre, and organizers shared their desire to ensure the event includes and benefits the entire Lakeland, not only offering a new event for people to attend but also committing to giving back to the community by involving charities and not-for-profit groups.
The event will include a vendor’s fair, bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding, and will be broadcasted on the Cowboy Channel. A concert on Saturday evening features Canadian musician Tenille Townes.
Both the MD and Town of Bonnyville accepted the presentations as information.
Shawn Metchewais and Katrina Reid presented to the Town of Bonnyville and spoke about the world-class rodeo riders in Alberta, and how they aim to draw these top cowboys to the event.
“We have a four-time world champion in our province, Zeke Thurston, from Big Valley . . . who we've contacted. We've contacted all the big names in Canada and it's the biggest [rodeo] event going on in North America on that weekend, so we're hoping some of the Americans will come up and stiffen the competition and really jam this event up. We're quite excited,” said Metchewais.
Metchewais said they are using Bonnyville businesses to supply the liquor and signage for the event. He said he is not looking to make money from the event but sees it as an opportunity to bring an exciting new event to the area.
“That’s why I spend time on the Bonnyville Ag society, and I helped bring in the chuckwagons into Cold Lake. I’m a former board member of the ag society there and I just always see this potential,” said Metchewais.
Town of Bonnyville Coun. Phil Kushnir commented on how quickly the event is coming up, and Reid guaranteed the event is going to happen, despite organizers still seeking sponsorships.
Chad Colbourne presented to the MD of Bonnyville, saying, "We’re trying to bring something different to the Lakeland, and the Cold Lake Energy Centre is willing to host this amazing event that we’re trying to bring."
The event will be sanctioned by the Canadian Bull Riders Association which will allow the event to draw in some of the top cowboys across Canada.
“The same cowboys that compete at the CFR, NFR, and Calgary Stampede . . . We’re going as far as to bring in a Calgary Stampede announcer, who does the rodeo portion for the Calgary Stampede,” said Colbourne.
The City of Cold Lake is also providing support to the event, helping bring dirt and changing over the Energy Centre to host a rodeo for the weekend.
MD of Bonnyville Coun. Ben Fadeyiw inquired about the group’s long-term business plan, and Colbourne explained they aim to create a long-standing event that becomes a regular instalment within the community.
To put the event on for the first time, roughly $100,000 will be needed.
“For us right now, to be very straightforward, I think we're at about $25,000-$30,0000 collected in sponsorship. We’ve got a lot of follow-up still to do, and we’re about a month away as of today,” said Colbourne.
MD of Bonnyville Deputy Reeve Darcy Skarsen inquired about how the competition functions in regard to the broader rodeo circuit.
“With our approvals through the Canadian Bull Riders Association and through the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association, and with our stock provider – putting all three of those together [means] the cowboys and the animals are all able to gain points towards their totals, which qualify them for the CFR and the NFR . . . we are sanctioned as high as we can go,” said Colbourne.
Coun. Don Slipchuck commented that it is hard to determine how the event will turn out, but he sees potential for it to be a successful long-term event.
“I believe it could be an event like Gear Grabbers. It started off slow but look where it is today. Our community is wanting different events like this to attend locally, so thank you for doing this,” said Slipchuk.
No funding decisions were made by either council.
