This is the busiest week of April in Willie’s Puddle as we host two annual events; the Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale (76th) and the WL Indoor Rodeo (23rd) — both (unapologetically) uniquely western in nature.
The influx begins early in the week as the breeders truck their bulls in to the BC Livestock yards to a Bull Show/ Sale that is well respected/regarded as one of the premier events of its type in Western Canada. The buyers flock to the Cariboo from all-over Western Canada, hoping to place the top-bid on the bull(s) that fits their (customized) breeding programs.
For many, a working-holiday in which they also try to socialize or take a mini-country-tour (to a local ranch-we often host fellow-cattlemen) in addition to enjoying all the lakecity offers (accommodation, dining and shopping).
Harbour no illusions, however, these visitors are not here primarily to experience our cultural diversity — they have come-strictly for the bull. The rest is extraneous fluff.
Indoor Rodeo action kicks off on Friday evening and features include; daily rodeo action, West Coast Thunder Drill Team, Young Gunz Trick Riders, BC Cowboy Hall of Fame 2013 induction-ceremonies (Sunday) and more.
It’s yet another (unashamedly) western event which draws large numbers (visitors) to our community.
Reader-awareness of my (personal) leanings toward all-things western regularly reflected in my writing and photography should make the following thoughts no surprise.
I’ve rolled the proposed new tagline — Welcome to the Republic of Life — around in my mind for days now, and while I like to believe I’m open to new ideas — I just can’t buy this one!
So I’m going to stand firmly in Ina’s (Boxeur) corner for this bout. Round by round, we need to celebrate our western heritage; it rewards us with a knockout punch in the ring of life!
Liz Twan is a rancher and freelance columnist for the Tribune.
