Get ready to grab your hat and boots because the 24th Annual Interlakes Rodeo organizers are rounding up the final program for a rousing two days of prime rodeo action Aug. 2-3.
The usual British Columbia Rodeo Association (BCRA) action will once again present bare back and saddle broncs; team, tie-down and break-away roping; bull riding; and junior steer roping, barrel racing and break-away roping; and ladies' and peewee barrel racing.
Hosted by the Interlakes Community Association, rodeo committee chair Carney Myers says there are both new and always-popular competitions this year, with performances beginning at 1 p.m. each day.
"Our big seller is the mutton busting, and that is for the little kids. This year, we are also having a calf scramble rather than a pig scramble, which will allow a lot more prizes – more kids will win."
Having four ribbons tied to the calves will allow about 20 young winners rather than just a few, she explains.
Myers notes these children's competitions will happen during the mid-afternoon intermissions.
The 2014 Interlakes Rodeo will also introduce an all-new and all-local girl's ad hoc drill team, she adds.
This new volunteer group is still a small drill team of about six to eight riders, and is dubbed Hearts and Hoofbeats.
"They are going to bring the flags in for us this year, and they are all people from 100 Mile House and Interlakes."
A couple of new booths expected this year will offer homemade pies, cotton candy and popcorn, along with the usual vendors with western tack, saddles and hats, she adds.
The beverage garden will be running once again in a segregated area, and the concession is "always really good," she notes.
Myers encourages everyone to mark the dates on their calendar and turn out to the Interlakes Community Hall rodeo grounds at Roe Lake on Highway 24 to enjoy all the action.
"It's a fun afternoon with lots of entertainment and something for all ages."
A BCRA 2014 membership number (a co-approval association card) is necessary to enter the competitions. Membership details are online at www.rodeobc.com.
Advance registration for local entrants only gets underway July 21, by calling Pat Lytton at 250-593-4447 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Then online entries will be accepted from 8 a.m. on July 22 to 2 p.m. on July 23 at www.rodeobc.com.
This will be followed by telephone registrations, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on July 23 at 250-989-1337, with a grace period for confirmed registrants to make changes from 2-2:30 p.m. (no new entries).
A final chance to make a late entry is possible (upon availability) by leaving a message at 250-989-1337 from July 23 at 3 p.m. to 9 a.m. July 24 (with confirmation callbacks on July 29, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.).
There may be some minimal slack riding happening, as needed, beginning 9 a.m. on Sunday (Aug. 3), for those who miss the registration.
For general information about the rodeo, call Myers at 250-593-4178.