Rodeo week is always a big deal in St. Paul.
The Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals were the focus of activity with five rodeo performances, but the St. Paul Ag Society and the entire community put on a full week of food, fun, and charitable fundraisers.
And as always, the town’s streets were lined with spectators for Saturday’s parade.
The LRA Finals Showdown rodeo is the culmination of cowboys’ season on the circuit. The traditional fan favourite events are all there: saddle broncs and bucking bareback rides, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and more. There were also “mutton-bustin’” events for younger competitors.
St. Paul mayor Maureen Miller says the rodeo is a full-on community effort with a lot of thanks going to the St. Paul Ag Society.
“It’s always such a welcome opportunity for us to showcase the community. We’re extremely grateful that the Ag Society applies for the LRA finals—it isn’t a given, so we’ve been very blessed to have had it the number of years we’ve had,” Miller said.
“And that only happens with huge community effort,” she said. “There’s volunteer organisations throughout the community that assist the Ag Society. It’s of course the town and the county and the businesses who volunteer their time as well. So it’s always an exciting week for the community.”
Miller said the week of events offers opportunities for local organizations to add to the fun atmosphere and raise funds for their important community initiatives.
“The funds that are raised throughout the community come back to organizations within the community—be it the pancake breakfasts, the beef on a bun, the pork on a bun—it’s a full out community effort,” she said.
“All that fundraising stays and comes back into the community, so that is an added bonus. And I just appreciate the opportunity to showcase the community.”
Very well-done Great covering