ARCOLA - The Arcola Rodeo was thankfully able to go ahead this year, after it was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arcola held their rodeo at the arena across from the Prairie Place Complex on Aug. 13. In total, there were 1,364 people who attended the event.
The rodeo, which started at 6:30 p.m. consisted of several different activities, including bull riding, novice bull riding, saddle bronc, novice saddle bronc, bareback, novice bareback, steer riding, barrel racing, mutton busting and the wild horse race. Most of the events were sanctioned by the Canadian Cowboys Association.
There was also a canteen and beer garden so people could pick up refreshments during the rodeo. Afterwards, a cabaret with a live band took place under the beer garden tent. Additionally, food and craft vendors were open during the day as part of the Arcola Rodeo Committee Trade Show.
Overall, the rodeo was a huge success, with the total attendance exceeding all the expectations of the organizers. As Chris Nadesh, one of the organizers of the rodeo explained, “It was unreal. We weren’t expecting that much. We had budgeted for 1,000. So that’s why we ran out of specific things right away…it was pretty cool.”
Some of the biggest hits during the rodeo were the bull riding, barrel racing, and wild horse race. Nadesh explained that the wild horse race was especially popular because it is made up of local teams.
Overall, the rodeo went really well — it was a great time for everyone. Nadesh remarked, “It was amazing. The rodeo went smooth.”
