By TREENA MIELKE
As in the well known movie Field of Dreams, and the main character was told to build it and they will come, Mark van Tienhoven is hoping to create the right ingredients, namely good bulls and professional bull riders and ‘they,’ the spectators, will come.
“As long as I get the people, I will be putting this thing on forever,” said Mark van Tienhoven about the Rimbey Bullarama to be held at the arena April 2.
“It’s the weekend after the ice goes out,” he said. “It’s easy to remember that way.”
Van Tienhoven has been putting on the Bullarama for five years and this year he is hoping it will be bigger and better than ever.
The 2011 Bullarama will feature elite pro bull riders coming from such countries as New Zealand and Australia, as well as the United States and Canada.
“We will have a lot more State side riders this year,” said van Tienhoven.
All riders ride once and the top six compete again to determine the champion.
Top winnings can be around $2,500, said van Tienhoven. “For eight seconds of work, that’s not bad.”
Local stock will be used in this year’s Bullarama
“There are so many bulls around the Rimbey area. We decided to go local,” said van Tienhoven.
Following the Bullarama, a cabaret will be held featuring the band TC & Company with Justin Ament.
“They are very good, I waited five years to get them. They play at a lot of the big rodeos.”
A portion of the proceeds from the Bullarama will go to STARS, Rimbey swimming pool and Rimbey Food Bank.
Tickets are available at Rimbey Feeds and T& S Farm & Feed Supplies. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the Bullarama begins at 7 p.m.