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Letter: Rodeos help businesses, economy

Every small town in Alberta puts on an annual rodeo which creates excitement and revenue for gas stations, motels, restaurants and stores.
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Every small town in Alberta puts on an annual rodeo which creates excitement and revenue for gas stations, motels, restaurants and stores.

Rodeo fans and country people are friendly and outgoing and will stop and visit with anyone. Rodeo cowboys and cowgirls don’t get paid like hockey football or baseball players. All rodeo contestants have to pay an entry fee to compete and only the top four to six winners get paid. You wouldn’t see hockey or football players doing this. They pay their own accommodations traveling expenses and meals doing a sport they love.

Cowboys and cowgirls compete in a dangerous lifestyle and provide entertainment for the least amount of money of any sport in Alberta.

I would like to ask our elected members of government what is the difference between a small rodeo gathering and thousands of people shopping at big box stores like Costco and Walmart every day. Is it the big money? if any of you elected MPs and members of government hope to ever be reelected you better step up to the plate and recognize the feeling of the people.

Jim Cruikshank, Red Deer County