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Rodeo celebrates 35th anniversary

The 35th annual Sundre Pro Rodeo attracted hundreds of rodeo enthusiasts to town over the weekend. A total of four performances delivered bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping action.

The 35th annual Sundre Pro Rodeo attracted hundreds of rodeo enthusiasts to town over the weekend.

A total of four performances delivered bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping action.

They also included barrel racing, bull riding, novice saddle bronc, novice bareback, junior steer riding and mutton bustin' for children.

The three thrilling days of rodeo also brought additional events for rodeo goers to enjoy, including Friday's BS bingo and a fireworks display at dusk.

On Saturday morning, Sundre's chamber of commerce put on a parade and Mennear Foods hosted its annual free pancake breakfast.

Both events filled the streets with people anxiously awaiting hot pancakes and to see what kind of floats would be in the parade, despite the rainy weather.

Children collected bags full of candies as people on the floats threw an assortment into the crowd.

This year's parade included past Sundre rodeo queens and princesses.

On Saturday evening, a cowboy cabaret attracted many to the Sundre Arena for some dancing and drinks.

As part of marking this year's 35th anniversary, the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association spent $5,000 on each event, rather than the usual $4,000.

As well, two sub stock contractors were added to the three-day-long event. Franklin Rodeo Company was the primary stock contractor, with Calgary Stampede and Bar C5 as sub stock contractors.

There was also a special performance by Young Gunz during the Friday evening performance.

The association switched up the mutton bustin' event this year. It was a shootout format where all of the mutton busters went into the arena at the same time.

Also as part of the 35th anniversary, the association gave away $35,000. There were five $1,000 early bird draws before rodeo weekend, and $30,000 was given out during the Sunday performance.

The rodeo royalty was crowned on Friday, with Desirae Jackson taking the Miss Rodeo Sundre 2014 title, and Jessica Craig crowned as Miss Rodeo Sundre Princess 2014.

There were three other candidates for the two titles, including Mackenzie Argent, Carly Carrier and Kyla Williams.

Cayley Martyn had fulfilled the Miss Rodeo Sundre position in 2012 and 2013, and Mackenzie Henn was Miss Rodeo Sundre Princess for the last two years as well.

The association had a collector's edition commemorative poster published to celebrate the 35th anniversary, which had all of the past years' rodeo posters on it.

According to the unofficial results on the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association's website, Dusty LaValley took first place in bareback riding, Steven Turner took first in steer wrestling and Isaac Diaz took first in saddle bronc.

Rocky Dallyn and Kolton Schmidt took first in team roping, Stetson Vest took first in tie-down roping, Taylor Jacob took first in ladies barrel racing and Dantan Bertsch took first in novice bareback.

Scott Schiffner, Garrett Green and Ty Pozzobon tied for bull riding leaders, Lane Cust took first in novice saddle bronc and Riley Gagnon took first in steer riding.

Last year the rodeo was postponed for the first time in history. It was held in August, as a result of overland flooding in June. The midway contractor had another commitment that weekend, so the rodeo went on without a midway.

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