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Red Hot Action at Lamont Rodeo
Red Hot Action at Lamont Rodeo
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser
The action was red-hot and so was the weather at the Lamont Summer Sizzler Rodeo on July 8 and 9 at the Conrad Schinkinger Rodeo Grounds near the Town of Lamont.
The Lamont & District Agricultural Society has been hosting Summer Sizzler for the past 33 years and the 34th annual edition broke an all-time attendance record of 3,500 people for the two day event.
Rodeo Committee Chair Shelley Loren said attendance was well above last year’s record, beating it out by 400 people. The rodeo has been steadily growing for the past few years and Loren believes that’s because they “put on a really good show and cater to the community.” She said the family friendly event has “something for everyone” and they continue to add new activities and vendors to give patrons a variety of options.
The Kids Fun Zone and Rodeo are always popular. The Combine Crunch continues to draw larger crowds and the caliber of competitors in the rodeo performances is top notch with contestants from all over western Canada. There were even some contestants from New Zealand. As well, there were some local contestants from Fort Saskatchewan, Mundare, Lavoy, Minburn and Viking. Altogether there were 400 contestants in the rodeo, one that is now considered to be one of the largest in the Lakeland Rodeo Association. Ladies Breakaway event is something that was added to the rodeo last year and its popularity is rising and gives ladies the opportunity to “take it to the next level” and demonstrate their other skills in the rodeo ring.
Putting on an event of this magnitude is no easy feat. Loren said they had 150 volunteers bank more than 1,500 hours over the course of two days. She said local community groups who assisted in the rodeo’s success which also deserve credit are the Lamont Public Library, Lamont Elementary School Parent Council, Ardrossan Bisons Football Club, Chipman 4-H Beef and Multi Club and the Lamont Fish and Game Association.
