Bull riders will bring in the new year
By Joan Janzen
The community of Oyen is planning an exciting event to bring in the the New Year. The Big Country Ag Society (BCAS) is appropriately extending “Happy Bucking New Year” greetings as they prepare for the occasion.
Cheryl Ball from Oyen was on hand to provide more details about the upcoming event. Although this is a first-time New Year’s Eve bull riding event, the BCAS intends to make it an annual occurrence.
The New Brigden Community Association is kicking off the event by providing a steak supper. All proceeds from the meal going to the ‘new’ New Brigden Hall, and tickets for the supper are sold separately, with a total of 300 tickets available.
Eatonia’s Dakota Buttar will be just one of the many riders taking part in the Big Country Ag Society’s CPRA Professional Bull Riding Event on New Year’s Eve. PHOTO COURTESY PBR
The bull riding will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will wind up by 10:00 p.m. if there aren’t any delays. Two bleachers have been set aside, and BSAC is selling advance tickets for that seating area to ensure those ticket holders have good seats. There are four more bleachers available for additional seating.
The audience is in for a treat, as R Legend Rodeo Stock is the stock contractor. According to Cheryl they are the best there is in the business and have provided stock in Canada and the US. The audience can expect to see the best bulls and the best riders, including Kindersley’s Dakota Buttar. The winner of the BCAS Saddle/Cash Raffle will be drawn, and a live auction will be held, making it a full evening.
Bull riding tickets include admission to the dance, but there are tickets available at a lower cost for admission to the dance. Children are welcome to attend the family dance, but daycare is available for younger children who may become tired. Parents will need to book daycare spots in advance.
Music for the evening will be provided by Classey Ferguson, a five-piece alternative country band from Hilda, who have performed in the area on other occasions. The Ag Society will be manning the bar for the evening. About 75 percent of the volunteers have signed up, but the BCAS can always use more help serve the 800 to 100 guests they’re expecting to show up to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Oyen.