The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) has a great suggestion for those wanting to see fireworks on Canada Day. Come out to the Strathmore Agricultural Grounds (just east of Calgary) to enjoy fireworks and the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo (CRIR), this year running July 1st – 4th.

After the success of the first year in the new Strathmore venue, ARGRA took a look at what worked and what didn’t, and has made a few changes. First off, all four days will have acts or musicians. On Canada Day the entertainment begins with a favourite from a few years back – Joanna, celebrity impersonator. As described by Judy Munson (ARGRA Communications Director), “He’s just amazing...he sings in his own voice and he sings Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and Anne Murray...and he also sings Johnny Cash.”

Further on entertainment, one of the new things Judy wants everyone to know about is the Bud Light Stage – positioned right in the middle of the midway. “What we’ve planned with that,” says Judy, “every day between 5pm and 7pm, beginning on Thursday, we will have performers, possibly karaoke, and singers.” Because this is still in the planning phase, ARGRA wants to let people know they are still seeking entertainers to fill some of these slots, so if you’re a karaoke wiz, an aspiring singer, a comedian, or even a juggler and want to appear on the Bud Light stage, contact the Rodeo Director, Darrel Reid, for details.

Friday evening, attendees will see the return of musician Steve Arsenault. He was such a hit from Sunday night last year, ARGRA wanted him back to headline the dance on Friday night. As for Saturday and Sunday nights this year, things will progress much as previous years with the dinner and dance on Saturday, then the award ceremony and dance on Sunday. Joanna will be back to warm up the crowd on Saturday night, but at the time we spoke to Judy, Sunday night’s act was still to be decided.

Another big change is the way things will be organized around the midway area, such as retailers who, instead of being all under a tent, will be side-by-side with the food vendors, the art show/silent auction, and the community carnival. This mixture of retailer, carnival, food and art should be an excellent draw for any who consider the rodeo events as secondary to the country western party atmosphere. Hopefully, this combination will feel similar to the set-up of festivals here in Calgary: think Lilac festival or Calgary Stampede to get an idea of what things should look like on the CRIR midway this year.

Furthermore, on the set-up of the GayCalgary Olde Tyme Country Carnival, ARGRA is pushing for this year to be even better!  The carnival is a fabulous opportunity for other Alberta LGBT groups to promote themselves. Judy admitted it’s a bit early to get the groups going, but, “...we’re getting out and getting contacts with the groups. We have a lot of interest.”

As with last year, any LGBT non-profit groups and organizations can apply with ARGRA to set up a carnival or midway type game to raise money. There is no cost to the organization to set up a booth/table/tent, and groups get to keep all profits. For the organizations, it has the potential to be an excellent fundraiser; they get to be part of rodeo, and the four to five thousand attendees enjoy games while supporting many good causes - a win-win for everyone.

Getting back to the rodeo element of the CRIR, a new addition this year is a rodeo school.  “What we are looking for are people who are interested in learning more about some of the events, and [who] would like to participate,” says Judy.

While they haven’t solidified details on the school yet (i.e. cost, exact times and events), the plan is for it to run the Thursday and Friday afternoons. At least two competition events considered for the school are Chute Dogging, and Calf Roping on Foot, however this may change if the demand is greater for other events. Participants will be trained by seasoned rodeo experts, and Judy feels this will be a really good introductory event for people who have watched the rodeo and thought they might like to try participating in certain events.

Participants in the Rodeo School can then sign up for the competition Friday, and go off to the races on Saturday. There will be more details on ARGRA’s website in the next few weeks, but if this interests you, please take a moment to contact ARGRA Vice President, Rob Somers as soon as you can, so that they can plan the school ahead of time.

Strathmore is blessed with acres of land for camping, and for those saying on-site, it will be much the same as last year.   For those not wanting to rough it, rodeo attendees receive a 15% discount on room at this year’s host hotel, the Strathmore Travelodge. This offer is a new thing this year, as hotels are embracing the positive impact that the Rodeo has had on their town.

This attitude change goes double for the town of Strathmore. Last year a lot of townfolk came out to the rodeo unsure of what to expect, but found themselves enjoying the experience. “We had a whole group of women from Strathmore Rodeo that volunteered for our rodeo for bartenders…and they loved it! They loved the group, they loved the people, they said they’ve never been treated so nicely…we gave them a standing ovation on the Sunday night and they were in tears…and they said sign us up for next year!”

ARGRA also made a very good impression on the Strathmore Agricultural Society, the site of the Rodeo.  While the venue originally offered only a single year contract, they were so impressed by the turn-out and the way that organizers left the facilities, that they signed the CRIR up for a three year contract this time around. “They actually said that they got some ideas from our rodeo to put into their rodeo – the Strathmore Heritage Days.” ARGRA returned the favour and volunteered at the Strathmore rodeo, in order to continue cementing the relationship.

While it’s too soon to predict if  we’ll see sunny skies from July 1st to 4th, let’s hope for the weather to favour us and make the 2010 CRIR the best yet!

Tickets and packages are already posted.  Information on the campsite should be up the first week of April. ARGRA uses Facebook to notify fans of any upcoming events – look there for more CRIR details when confirmed.

Organizations interested in participating in the Olde Tyme Country Carnival may contact ARGRA through their website or via email at sponsorship@argra.org