The fourth edition of the annual Canadian Cowboy’s Association Finals Rodeo will provide another year of exciting rodeo action in Swift Current next week.
The October 16 to 19th event will again deliver an exciting, highly entertaining professional event in Swift Current for the fourth consecutive year.
Canadian Cowboys’ Association President Robin Poirier spoke at Swift Current City Council to share details on this year’s event and the exciting future of the CCA Finals Rodeo in the Southwest.
“We are excited to say that the ultimate annual competition of the rodeo season, the CCA Finals Rodeo, will call Swift Current home until 2026,” Poirier said on Monday. “This is the biggest event on the CCA calendar and it will happen right here in Swift Current.”
He noted that the 2018 Finals Rodeo was a successful event, attracting overall attendance of more than 12,000.
“This year’s event promises to be equal or stronger than last year,” he said of the five performance competition which tests the top qualifiers in bareback, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding.
Rodeo performances are set for Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m., Thursday, October 17 at 7 p.m., Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m., plus Saturday, October 19 at both at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Poirier announced a series of changes for 2019, including the elimination of Rodeo 101 which was an early afternoon performance where the junior and novice competitors were featured in action.
“This year the novice and junior competitions will be included in the main performance. This is where the future cowboys and cowgirls get their start.”
He also provided details of the three new events being added to the 2019 schedule.
On Wednesday, October 16 there is a Showdown Break Away Roping Jackpot event starting at 10 a.m.
Team roping fans will want to be at the iPlex starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 17 to watch the Sask Rope Horse Futurity. The free to the public event starts with a heading competition, followed by a heeling competition.
On Friday, October 18 will also be a showcase event for the rodeo stars of the future, with a Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Association event starting bright and early at 7 a.m.
The Southwest Showcase Trade Show will be hosted on Thursday through Saturday in the curling rink portion of the iPlex. Over 60 vendors will be on site selling a variety of items. The Trade Show runs from noon to 7:30 p.m on Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Budweiser Saloon is open on Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight, and it runs from noon to midnight on Saturday. Saturday also features a Saloon Supper Special starting at 4 p.m. in the Iplex Auditorium.
Following Championship Saturday events, the event will be capped off with a Cabaret featuring Buckshot with Tyler Lewis at the Stockade beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Poirier saluted the manpower needed to transform the iPlex from a hockey rink into a rodeo arena in a short time frame, and then turning the facility back to a hockey rink in two days.
CCA Finals tickets are available in person at City Hall or the Kinetic Park office on weekdays between 7:45 a.m and 4:30 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.swiftcurrent.ca/CCA or by calling 306-778-2787.
Volunteers needed for CCA Finals Rodeo
With another crowd of over 12,000 expected for the 2019 Canadian Cowboys’ Association Finals Rodeo on October 16 to 19, the success of this event is not possible without volunteers.
Swift Current’s volunteer base is being called on one more time to help make the 2019 Canadian Cowboys’ Association Finals Rodeo a success.
Local organizing committee member Tracey Stevenson said they only currently have 100 to 150 of their necessary 400 volunteers.
“We are in desperate need of volunteers,” Stevenson said at City Council on Monday.
Volunteers can sign up by calling City Hall at 306-778-2787, Kinetic Park at 306-773-2944, or register online at www.swiftcurrent.ca/cca.
