The Rimbey rodeo banquet and cabaret held Saturday evening offered a pleasing potpourri of delicious food, old fashioned friendliness, celebration, the presentation of awards and honorariums and a chance to enjoy the sounds of a live band.
The event, held at Rimbey Drop-In Centre attracted more than 100 people and it seemed a good time was had by all.
Dean Edge, the master of ceremonies for the evening, recently returned from the Canadian Finals Rodeo where he won the go-round in tie-down roping on the last day of the competition. His win put him in seventh place and has qualified him to compete in the Calgary Stampede in 2015.
He is pleased with his success at the CFR and is looking forward to the Stampede.
During his career in rodeo, Edge has learned to roll with the punches and has experienced his share of wins and losses. However, in the end, he remains a strong believer in the benefits of dedication, hard work and striving always to be achieving one’s personal best.
“The more you can practice, the luckier you get,” he said.
Rimbey’s lovely young rodeo queen, Martina Holdcamp was presented with a $350 honorarium from the rodeo board during the banquet.
Holdcamp, who also attended the CFR, said the experience was one she very much enjoyed.
“The first event I went to was rodeo magic, where kids from Edmonton area get partnered up with a pro or a rodeo queen and get to be cowboys and cowgirls for a few hours,” she said.
She also attended the public speaking portion of the Miss Rodeo Canada pageant and the Miss Rodeo Canada alumni luncheon and fashion show.
“There were a lot of amazing people, with delicious food, great entertainment and a fantastic fashion show,” she said. “It was so nice to meet some ladies who have previously been Miss Rodeo Canada who were sitting at my table. That evening was the awards and crowning reception, and it was exciting to watch Katy Lucas, the current Ponoka Stampede Queen be crowned Miss Rodeo Canada 2015.”
The final event she attended at the CFR was the Miss Rodeo Canada 60th anniversary brunch.
“The Canadian Finals Rodeo is definitely not something I’m going to forget anytime soon,” she said.
Rimbey rodeo princess Whitaney Block received a $250 honorarium from the Rimbey rodeo association and Winfield Gait Riders members Geneva Rodin and Danielle Hoflin received $1,000 donation to go towards their club.
Hazel Street from Rimbey rodeo association presented president Steven Boyce with $1,000 to go to the Bluffton 4-H Club.
A silent auction was also part of the evening, which concluded with entertainment by Debra D and the Western Wind.