STRATHMORE, Alta. – What’s billed as Canada’s largest gay rodeo has been cancelled in southern Alberta.
The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association announced on its website last month that the event wouldn’t be going ahead in Strathmore this summer.
No reason was given and rodeo fans are still wondering if they’ll be refunded the $99 they paid for a four-day pass.
The association says the decision was not made lightly and it apologizes to everyone the cancellation affects.
The 22-year-old event has been held in Strathmore for the last seven years and featured rodeo competitions, country music acts and goat dressing.
The Strathmore and District Agricultural Society says the rodeo would have brought $20,000 to $30,000 in revenue to the community.
“The timing of the announcement … 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.”
The town dished out $10,000 from its community development program for the June 30 to July 3 event. It’s also waiting to see if the money will be refunded.
“We’re waiting like everybody else,” Mayor Michael Ell said. “We would like some information too.”
Some rodeo fans are planning a campout and cabaret in Strathmore on the Canada Day long weekend instead. The town says it will still hold fireworks at the grandstand.
(CTV Calgary)
