ST. PAUL – A week of events, culminating in the Lakeland Rodeo Association (LRA) finals, presented in part by the St. Paul Ag Society, is back on Aug. 27 – Sept. 4, after two years of pandemic shutdown.
Many fun activities will take place throughout the week leading up to the five rodeo performances, with the first rodeo performance taking place on Sep. 1 at the Clancy Richard Arena.
On Saturday, Sept. 3, a rodeo parade - a major highlight of the rodeo week - will take place in the morning, followed by other activities including the third and fourth action-packed rodeo performances.
The fifth and final rodeo performance will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4.
Doug Drolet, president of St. Paul Ag Society told Lakeland This Week that he felt something was missing in the community after having been unable to do the annual rodeos due to COVID-19.
“It just left a big void in St. Paul on the September long weekend,” said Drolet.
According to Drolet, the rodeo in St. Paul brings the community and the people together.
Cory Dunlop, LRA president, echoes the same sentiment.
“It’s a good time to get together with friends and family and one last big hurrah for the summer season,” said Dunlop.
According to Dunlop, there won’t be many changes in the LRA finals, and the rodeo will run similar to previous years, stating that the LRA and the competitors are excited to be back more than anything, “after a few years off.”
A rodeo was held in St. Paul last year, as public health restrictions eased, but the event was scaled down, and much smaller than previous years as the LRA opted not to host finals due to fewer rodeos taking place in 2021.
Among the competitors in the LRA Finals is Elk Point’s Austin Young, making the action a little more exciting with a homegrown competitor to cheer for. Young has been competing in steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping this season.
For people unfamiliar with rodeos, Dunlop said the weekend will be filled with lots of action and good entertainment. The atmosphere in rodeo arenas is almost like going to an “NBA game,” he said, filled with crowds and enthusiasm.
The rodeo week will kick off with a Bull-a-rama on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Clancy Richard Arena. According to Drolet, the Bull-a-rama will feature a “shark cage” in the middle of the arena, “where spectators will bid to go and sit during the performance and watch from the ground level.”
A Ranch Rodeo will also happen on Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. at the arena. Events at the ranch rodeo include trailer loading, sorting, doctoring, branding, and horse race/cow milking.
Drolet said that activities during the week, beginning Thursday, Sept. 1, will include a car show, a fundraising golf tournament, mutton busting “where children can catch themselves a sheep,” and a bunch of pancake breakfasts and other food opportunities.
