A legendary Central Alberta rodeo makes its return this weekend.
The 61st annual Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo will bring three days of action to the ranch, located just north of Innisfail on C&E Trail.
There will be pro performances Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. There will also be cabaret events Friday and Saturday nights, and at 1 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a Family Day Special Event.
“It feels great (to be hosting the event this weekend). Just getting everybody back out together – it’s a great time,” said Kyle Daines, chairman of the Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo committee.
The rodeo featured Canadian Professional Rodeo Association cowboys and cowgirls competing in a number of events, including bareback riding, barrel racing and steer wrestling.
This will be the first Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo since the passing of Jack Daines, the architect of the annual Central Alberta rodeo. This year’s event will be like a tribute to Jack.
“On Sunday we’re going to do something pretty special for him,” said Kyle, who is Jack’s nephew.
“There will be a tribute to him, to include his family and his wife Audrey there. It’s Father’s Day and it’s going to be a good one.”
READ MORE: Central Alberta rodeo legend Jack Daines dies
Jack passed away at the age of 86 on Dec. 28, 2021. In 1990, he was named the CPRA Committee Man of the Year and was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005. Additionally, Jack was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame as a Builder in 2000 and was a member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
The first edition of the rodeo was created by Jack and his six brothers. Over the years, the torch has been passed down to younger members of the family.
“Jack and the family did a lot for a long time and now it’s the next generation’s turn,” said Kyle.
“To keep it in the family is huge. The family (members) putting the rodeo on right now, we all love the sport so much. Now we’ve got some friends and some other people joining in on the committee. It’s a fun place to be and it’s a fun rodeo.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 rodeo was cancelled and the 2021 event was delayed until September – the rodeo typically takes place in June.
Kyle said he’s excited for attendees to come down to the ranch.
“We try to clean up the ranch as much as we can and make it better all of the time to make it a fun place to come out to,” said Kyle.
For more information on the Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo, visit www.dainesranch.ca.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter