A sell-out crowd enjoyed thrills, spills, and good family entertainment at the North Thompson Agriplex in Barriere, on Dec. 31, for the inaugural New Year’s Eve ‘Bucking For The Farm Kids’ Bullarama,
Twenty-eight gutsy cowboys arrived to participate in the event from Western Canada and the U.S.; all vying for the sparkling trophy buckle, the $5,000 added purse, and a step up in the Elite Professional Bull Riders Association standings.
Barriere hometown riders, Justin Davis and Monty Ross, were in the lineup as well, much to the enjoyment of those in the crowd from this area.
Davis made it into the short go round after a good eight second ride on a tough bull in the first go. Ross however, was not so fortunate and was not able to stick with his first bull for the required eight seconds.
Winner of the first go, with a score of 84, was Manitoba’s Zane Lambert; who then went on to also win the final go with an 85.5.
The event was hosted by the Farm Kids Scholarship Fund (FKSF), and was the first fundraising venue for their newly launched scholarship program. FKSF rep Steven Puhallo told the sell-out crowd that the evening’s successful event had raised $5,000 in scholarship dollars which would be used to help rural youth further their education.
In fact, the fund grew even more when Babes Shanko, a Barriere resident, was the lucky winner of the evening’s 50/50 draw, who promptly donated her winnings (over $500) back to the FKSF.
Local auctioneer Bruce Williams of Haydn Auction Services donated his time during the event to live auction a kids Gator from Brandt Tractor, and a photography package, raising approximately $500 more for the program.
The Agriplex was packed from the time the doors opened, until the Bullarama was over, with numerous families that had brought their children to enjoy the event as well. Many attendees commented how nice it was to see people be able to spend New Years Eve with their own kids at a family oriented event close to home, and all said they are already looking forward to the next one.
Once the Bullarama was over, and the bulls moved outside, a portable dance floor was laid in front of the rodeo chutes; and this was where 400 people boogied the night away and welcomed in the 2013 New Year.
RCMP reported no problems from the beer garden or dance participants; and shuttles, cabs, and a few kind folks who provided rides home, kept the event accident free both at the facility and on the roads.
Once again the community of Barriere showed their spirit and belief in what the North Thompson Agriplex can do; they turned out and volunteered to help get the facility (which is still undergoing construction) readied for the Bullarama. The water and electricity was hooked up in the washrooms the day before the event, and all of the construction equipment was moved and stored to make way for the livestock and the attendees.
The Bucking For The Farm Kids event also partnered with the local 4H, Barriere and District Riding Club, Barriere Secondary Dry Grad and the Barriere Lions Club in helping those organizations to raise funds for their own initiatives.
A hearty “Well Done!” needs to be given to all involved for bringing this first class event to the North Thompson Agriplex on an annual basis.
Find a video of the event at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ShZeTzmVnmE#!
