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Rainy rodeo weekend did not keep the spectators away

Mayor Posti calls parade goers “hardy people”
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THANK YOU - Grace Hudson happily accepts a handful of candy from one of Eckville Fire Department’s firefighters during the Eckville Rodeo Parade on June 10. Photo by Megan Roth/Eckville Echo

The rain started Thursday night and continued fairly steadily right through till Saturday. However, the wet weather did not keep the fans from coming out to the rodeo, parade and other events sprinkled over the weekend.

“They are hardy people, those who come out to parades and rodeos,” said Eckville Mayor Helen Posti.

The weather did cause a few cancellations in the parade. According to Posti, a few people decided not to risk putting a float into the parade with the dreary weather, which she says is understandable.

“Especially if there were children on the float. I completely get it,” she said.

The number of people who came out to watch the parade was surprising, says Posti, wo attributed the rise in attendance to the slight break in the weather in time for the parade. Event goers lined not only the main street, but also all along the parade route.

“I was amazed by how many people were watching the parade,” said Posti.

Overall, Posti said the weekend was well attended and seemed to be busy.

The weekend was full of events for Eckville, all surrounding the amateur rodeo. Saturday morning started with a pancake breakfast provided by the local 4-H Club followed by the junior rodeo event at the arena.

The parade took advantage of the break in the poor weather for a procession that lasted a half hour starting at noon.

The rodeo market stretched on throughout the afternoon, for those looking for a break from the slack events taking place at the arena. Many people attended the market, enjoying the vendors and activities for children and adults.

“The market seemed pretty busy. Lots of people were milling about,” said Posti.

The rodeo weekend rounded out with the the Saturday evening performances at the rodeo, a supper presented by the Presbyterian Church and a family-style cabaret.

“The cabaret was held in the arena, I think it went over pretty well,” said Posti. “The cabaret used to be held in the Community Centre but was moved when attendance began to drop and was opened to families.”

The weekend had a few other events to compete with, the 1913 Days in Sylvan Lake and the pro rodeo in Rocky Mountain House.

The Eckville Rodeo actually moved its dates to not compete with other events, and to ensure as many participants in the rodeo as possible.

Because the rodeo in Eckville was an amateur rodeo, it did not really compete with the the one in Rocky Mountain House.

Posti said the attendance at both nights of the rodeo was great, with many seats filled in the arena.

“It was an excellent weekend overall,” said Posti.