The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - April 8, 2008
RODEO CLUB CONTINUES WITH PLANS
Princeton Rodeo Club met April 4th to discuss progress being made in preparation for the upcoming BCRA Princeton Rodeo.
Club President Mike Theal says a preliminary budget shows the event will cost about $32,000 to host. Costs include such items as $7,500 for livestock, $4,000 to stock the refreshment garden, $3,000 for advertising, $1,000 for grounds rental, $1,800 for the rodeo clown, $1,500 for the announcer and $1,150 for insurance.
As the club has chosen to drop the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) designation in favour of the BC Rodeo Association's 'amateur' status, local entries will be allowed and encouraged.
Theal told the membership that cowboys and cowgirls living in the Okanagan and Similkameen are considered local entries.
Local entries will be accepted one day only, April 21st. Entries must be paid on that day and will be taken at the home of the President at 1059 Highway 5A.
For more information call Theal at (250) 295-3833. The BCRA entry deadline is the following week.
Sponsorships are coming in and Committee Chair Ken Crompton is upbeat about the response.
"Things are going well. We already have commitments up to 11-thousand, which includes the Town and RDOS. I think we're going to be in pretty good shape."
Letters went out to past and potential sponsors last week and a handful of members went over the sponsorship list at the meeting and committed to making phone and personally follow-ups to sponsors they knew.
On the subject of the BC Professional Bullriders Association (BCPB) Finals in September, Crompton was as positive.
A clown has been confirmed (Bert Davis) as well as the announcer (Al Parsons). The Town of Princeton has also committed to a sponsorship of $3,000 with the Regional District yet to confirm.
"I'm still looking for a major sponsor, though."
Crompton says there is interest by a local business, but nothing concrete at the moment.
The two day event will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 13th and 14th and there is a possibility that Princeton Rotary Club may be involved on the Saturday night with an event, which is yet to be confirmed.
Crompton says the BCPB Finals in September could lead to a 5-year option to continue making Princeton the future home of the event.
The Rodeo Club will host a fundraising Trail Ride July 5th and 6th.
Ride organizer Bob Wicks outlined a short itinerary for the overnight riding adventure which will cost participants $200.00 each. To find out more call Wicks at (250) 295-3123 or e-mail wickslaw@nethop.net.
The event has the potential to raise a few thousand dollars as well as becoming an annual fundraiser for the Club.
The 2008 Princeton Rodeo Queen was also in attendance in her first official meeting of her term. Janine Esdale of Tulameen was chosen to represent Princeton Rodeo Club for the next year.
Esdale, who participated in the Grand Entry at last years Rodeo, will travel to local rodeo events to promote the local Rodeo.
