Rimbey Rodeo Royalty will be hosting the annual Country Crown fashion show on July 5 at the Rimbey Agrim Centre.
Tickets are $35. Doors open at 5 p.m. Highlights of the evening include a cocktail hour, the fashion show, dinner, and a silent auction.
"The annual fashion show serves as the main fundraising event for the Rimbey Rodeo Royalty duo," said Kaylee Shantz, Rimbey Rodeo Royalty coordinator along with Jamie Davies.
"The Rimbey Rodeo queen and princess are completely volunteer roles, but with the help of sponsors and fundraising, the queen committee is able to help reimburse some costs for the girls such as fuel, food and hotel accommodations," she said.
Shantz said the first fashion show took place in 2019, and has been a success ever since.
"The event also allows us to highlight local businesses such as Pharmasave, Mandy’s Fashion and Foot Wear, Ruby and Sole and Rodeo Ready Designs as different fashions hit the runway. Attendees can enjoy cocktails, dinner, and silent auction items while they watch the fashion show.
"The event will also feature 2024 Rimbey Rodeo Queen Jenna Boyce and Rimbey Rodeo Royalty contestants Jaya Fleck, Kayla Peacock and Shelby Oldale," she explained.
Shantz noted the Rimbey Rodeo Royalty duo serve a one-year term as ambassadors for the Rimbey Rodeo, the Town of Rimbey, the agriculture industry and western lifestyle.
"The duo will travel across Alberta to different rodeos, parades, school visits, and various other community events. From July 1-13th, the contestants will be judged in categories such as horsemanship, public speaking, rodeo knowledge, equine science, written exams, personal interviews and modelling."
The fashion show serves as part of the competition where girls can show off their style and personality in front of an audience, she said, adding the new Rimbey Rodeo Royalty duo will be crowned on July 13th at the Rimbey Rodeo.
Shantz, a former Miss Rodeo Canada, said Rimbey Rodeo Royalty is a wonderful reminder of where she started her own journey.
"Having the experience I do now, I feel so fulfilled and proud to be able to share that knowledge and skills with the ladies that are just joining the rodeo queen world," she said.
"I had the immense pleasure of being a part of the 2018 Rimbey Rodeo duo alongside Jamie Davies, so now working as coordinators together, it’s a pretty special experience.
"We have so much fun each year progressing the program forward and bringing new and exciting ideas to make the experience more engaging for the ladies that are a part of it.
"The fashion show, being a large fundraiser for our program to help the ladies down the road, has become a personal favourite event as we get to see the ladies' personalities on display, as well as connect with so many members of our beautiful community."
Davies agreed.
"As a past Rimbey Rodeo Princess and Miss Rodeo Sundre, it is very rewarding to be able to give back to the program that opened so many doors for me. Planning and organizing the event takes many months, but it is truly worth it in the end to keep the Rimbey Rodeo Royalty program alive and thriving," she said.
"Each year we try to bring in new ideas to keep the event exciting. We are so excited to be crowning a queen and princess this year, Kaylee and I first met when we were the Rimbey Rodeo Royalty duo and have been inseparable ever since! It means so much to work with Kaylee, to share our experience with upcoming royalty, and help develop the skills and abilities of these young ladies."
Both Shantz and Davies have been involved in the rodeo industry for a number of years.
"During this time, many doors have opened for us and we have had the opportunity to meet some of our closest friends as well as participate in a multitude of unique events.
"We love the way rodeo can bring people together. We have been invited back to many events that we attended as royalty, and it truly shows the impact you can create as an ambassador for the sport, and also how welcoming the community is."
For more information, email rimbey.royalty@gmail.com.
