For the first time in over a year, the grandstands at Alex Fraser Park will welcome rodeo spectators.
The Quesnel Rodeo Club’s jackpot summer series will be kicking up dirt on July 17 and 18.
Start time is 1 p.m. for both days. The club’s 2020 rodeo was cancelled due to COVID-19.
READ MORE: Quesnel Rodeo bucked by COVID-19
“If (fans) show up, we’re gonna open it up for them,” Quesnel Rodeo Club president Ray Jasper said.
The rodeo will be the first chance the club will be hosting in the newly christened Gus Cameron Arena. A sign honouring the Quesnel Rodeo legend was installed on top of the grandstand earlier this year.
The province moving into phase three of its re-opening plan allowing large crowds again left the club scrambling. There will not be a dance or beer gardens at the rodeo, but there will be concessions.
“Unfortunately it’s not going to be the same experience as the past, because we weren’t prepared,” Jasper said. “We never dreamed they would open it up to 5,000.”
Admittance to the rodeo will be by donation.
“If we can cover our costs of cleanup, and the extra costs of renting the grandstand and stuff like that, if we can cover that with just donations that’s just great,” Jasper said.
The Quesnel Rodeo Club will be hosting a second rodeo, with possibly more events surrounding it on Aug. 14 and 15.
The only full rodeo events hosted in Alex Fraser Park since 2019 have been two high school rodeos.
LETTER: Provincial Officials should allow rodeo events
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