The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association will stick to its usual date for the Canadian Finals Rodeo in 2017.
The 44th edition of the CFR will go ahead as planned and run from Nov. 8-12 in Edmonton, the organizers announced Thursday.
There was some talk in the rodeo community that with a Professional Bull Riders Association event planned that same weekend at Rogers Place, the CFR would consider changing their dates.
“I don’t know that we see the products as the same thing,” Tim Reid, President and CEO of Northlands said in response to questions about the PBR Global Cup event slated for Nov. 9 - 11.
“The great thing about CFR is that it’s seven events with a connection to our western heritage. CFR is a traditional event and I think PBR is more of a made-for-TV event aimed at more of an urban audience.”
The tradition of the CFR was an important factor in the decision to keep the dates the same.
“For the past 43 years, Northlands has been home to the CFR,” Reid said in a CPRA press release.
“The CFR provides the Capital Region with a strong economic boost. Our research dating back to 2011 continues to be validated as we have worked with Edmonton Tourism on an economic impact study in 2016. The results will show that the CFR is the single largest annual event in Edmonton.”
CPRA operations manager Kyle Rock added that the tradition and deep roots of the event in the community.
“Northlands has been our partner in the CFR for more than 40 years and we are proud to continue the tradition,” he said.
“We look forward to two more years at Northlands Coliseum as well as seeing the launch of a summer rodeo in Edmonton. This is a testament to Northlands commitment to their roots and the rodeo community.”
Reid also expressed the importance of Farmfair International and its long-standing association with the CFR. Farmfair is an international agriculture show that runs along with the CFR.
“We had no opportunity to move Farmfair off its customary dates and the partnership between CFR, Farmfair International and now Agri-Trade in Red Deer, is really important to us,” Reid added.
byron.hackett@www.reddeeradvocate.com