The bulls won’t be bucking in Strathmore, Alta. this summer.
The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) announced last month that the annual Canadian Rockies International Rodeo and Music Festival has been cancelled.
“This decision was not made lightly and we sincerely apologize to all the people this decision affects,” says the statement on ARGRA’s website. No reason has been given for the cancellation of the 22-year-old event – Canada’s largest gay rodeo. ARGRA has not returned repeated requests for comment.
In the past, thousands of people descended on quiet Strathmore for the festival, which featured rodeo events like bull riding, country music acts such as LeAnn Rimes, goat dressing and a wild drag race. Under the banner of inclusivity in this often socially conservative province, the amateur rodeo was unique for letting women compete in all events. At the infamous Calgary Stampede, women are only permitted to compete in barrel racing.
With no information about refunds, rodeo fans still don’t know if their $99 passes to the June 30 to July 3 event will be refunded.
ARGRA hosted its first gay rodeo in 1993. The event has been held in Strathmore for the past seven years. The town even dished out $10,000 from its community development program for the festival this year. It’s still waiting to see if the money will be refunded.
“We’re waiting like everybody else,” Mayor Michael Ell told CTV Calgary. “We would like some information too.”
The Strathmore & District Agricultural Society says it has lost a significant event that would have brought $20,000 to $30,000 in rental revenue to the community.
“The timing of the announcement, of their decision, of course, compromises us as well in that we’re trying to scramble to replace what would've been otherwise a very busy weekend here,” society general manager Herb McLane told CTV Calgary. “I suspect that the status of the current economy and so on has impacted their decision in a negative way so all of us have to meet those challenges and go on.”
Some rodeo fans are now planning a campout and cabaret in Strathmore on the Canada Day long weekend. The town says it will still hold its Canada Day fireworks at the Grandstand.
With files from CTV Calgary.
