The popular Little Britches Rodeo Parade and Western Heritage Week is back up and afloat again thanks to the efforts of Allan Roberts.
He says after it dropped off the chart for two years, this year’s events have a theme of Celebrating Our Western Heritage over the week of May 12-19.
Western Heritage Week culminates in the parade and rodeos once again happening on the May Long Weekend, May 17-19.
“The idea is we want to have a really good, vibrant, healthy, decorative western-themed parade.”
Roberts encourages all businesses and organizations to get involved all week by dressing up the staff and storefronts with Western Heritage costumes and decor.
He’d also like them to consider joining the parade.
Roberts says he hopes to see Birch Avenue filled with visitors, locals and their guests during Western Heritage Week – not just on parade day – to bring in business to area shops and restaurants and more attention to the events.
“I also want that rodeo weekend to be immensely successful; I want that grandstand full.”
The Little Britches Rodeo begins at the rodeo grounds behind the South Cariboo Rec. Centre at 9 a.m. on May 17 and runs all day, Roberts notes.
The parade gets underway from Save-On-Foods promptly at 10 a.m. and proceeds south on Birch Avenue, and then doubles back along Cedar Avenue.
Then, the BCRA 100 Mile House Rodeo follows over the next two days on May 18/19, he adds.
“We have got an exciting weekend. Not only do we have the rodeos, but on that Sunday night [May 18] at the rec. centre, the Hun City Hunnies have a Creedence Revived concert. This is a professional cover band.”
Registrations for parade entrants is underway now, with application forms available at A&B Photo, 100 Mile Feed & Ranch Supply and the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce.
Participants are advised to check the muster time with the parade organizers so everyone is on site early and ready to go before the parade begins.
The Little Britches Rodeo Parade and Western Heritage Week is no longer a South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce initiative, but it has their full support and assistance, Roberts explains.
He adds 100 Mile House hosted the first high school rodeo ever held in British Columbia, and has held annual Little Britches Rodeos for 50 years.
Noting there is plenty of help already lined up for parade day, Roberts says he is organizing everything under the expert mentorship and tutelage of Bev Kendy, who oversaw the parade for many years.
More information on the Creedence Revived concert and tickets is on Facebook under Hun City Hunnies.
For more information on the Little Britches Rodeo Parade and Western Heritage Week, call Allan Roberts at 250-395-3665 or e-mail aandbphotos@telus.net.
