Sun Parlour Rodeo returns July 30-31

LEAMINGTON — The grounds of the Sun Parlour Rodeo will once again be filled with cowboys, cowgirls and spectators this summer.

The announcement came last week that the 19th annual rodeo will be held on July 30 and 31 at the usual County Rd. 18 grounds.

The Pavao family and a host of volunteers are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work, preparing the grounds for the 19th time.

Stephanie Pavao says that it’s a labour of love for them.

“It means a lot to us to bring this event back to the community,” she says. “It’s an affordable family friendly event with something for everyone.”

Pavao says that even though they’ve missed two years due to COVID restrictions, they are anxious to ‘get back in the saddle.’

The 19th annual Sun Parlour Rodeo will once again feature the Rawhide Rodeo Company, with all of the events that local spectators have come to love — from bull riding to bronc busting to mutton busting and food vendors.

Of course, the real winners will be the local charities, who have benefited over the years from the rodeo.

To date, they’ve raised over $450,000 for various charities, most recent of which were Ronald Mc- Donald House, The Bridge Youth Resource Centre and The Bank Theatre. In the past, a lot of their funds have gone back to Erie Shores HealthCare, Erie Shores Hospice and W.E. Care for Kids.

“We like to help the Windsor-Essex charities and this year, that will be no different,” added Pavao. “It’s nice to be able to generate the donations and help them out.”

Although this year’s charity recipients haven’t yet been named, you can count on the Pavaos to keep it local and support the local causes.

According to Stephanie, it couldn’t be done without the numerous veteran sponsors and new sponsors who support the rodeo.

“We’ve got sponsors who’ve been here for 19 years and we are grateful for them,” she says.

They are also grateful for the dozens of volunteers that make the rodeo run every year.

In the end, she’s happy that families can have something to look forward to.

“It’s not only been hard on families these past two years, but also on the charities,” she says. “It’s good to give a helping hand to both.”

The Sun Parlour Rodeo will run 6 pm shows on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 at their 4th Concession farm (1835 County Rd. 18). The 2019 shows drew crowds totalling upwards of 5,000 spectators.

Visit sunparlourrodeo.ca or their Facebook page for updated information.