Weipa’s new-look showgrounds facility will come to life on Friday night for the opening of the Weipa Bullride and committee chairman Russell Scikluna can’t wait.
After last year’s event had to be cancelled due to Covid-19, a big crowd is expected at the Andoom Oval arena on both Friday and Saturday night for two nights of bucking entertainment.
The 2021 edition will be largely different to previous rodeos staged in Weipa.
Instead of a cabaret on Friday night, there will be action from the chutes to complement the live band. The program will then expand on Saturday with even more events, followed by a second live band.
“We have had to make a few late changes this year because of Covid, but the show will go on and still be as good as we imagined,” Mr Scikluna said.
“The committee has put a lot of work in for the best part of two years for this event and it’ll be a great reward to see the arena lit up on Friday night.”
The program is packed with competitors, too. There are 25 entered in the novice bull ride, while 15 have put their hand up for the open bull ride.
In a new event, bucking horses have been added to the program and 14 will try and tame some of the best broncs in north Queensland.
The poddy calf riding is capped at 50 and those spots were quickly snapped up, while 30 entered the junior steer event and 12 will take part in the junior bullock ride.
Fourteen women will compete in the ladies bullock ride.
There will also be whip cracking events, an ironman challenge and the popular steer wrestling.
“A lot of rodeos haven’t been able to go ahead this year and we’ve worked hard to make it a Covid-safe event,” Mr Scikluna said last week.
“We ask everyone to come along and have a great time and cheer on the competitors who are putting on the show.
“But please remember to do the right thing and follow any guidelines if you’re asked by security or any other officials.
“We want this to be a safe event so that it continues to prosper for years to come.”
Gates open at 4pm on Friday and 3pm on Saturday.
This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 17 August 2021.
