It has been almost 20 years since the last bronc was saddled up for a rodeo in Forbes and co-organiser of the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange Rodeo Shaun Read is promising that the wait will be worth it come this Saturday.
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“From the minute people walk through the gates until the time they leave, we will have them on the edge of their seats.”
With just three days until the much anticipated rodeo gets underway, Mr Read said the grounds are looking good and the six-strong rodeo committee have been working around the clock to ensure the success of the day.
“The grounds are looking magnificent,” he said.
“We had a working bee with the show committee chipping and preparing the arena last weekend and the rain so far has made it nice and green.”
The wheels are certainly in motion with stock contractors arriving last night and the portable stands and sand arena to be erected today.
Yesterday the event program was drawn up with the novice barrel ride to be the first event of the day at 12pm and the final open bull ride scheduled to wrap up the rodeo at 9.30pm.
Aside from the action in the main arena, Saturday will have plenty of entertainment for families including Big Al the rodeo clown, Wildfire, a tame 1200kg grey Brahman bull that kids and adults alike can sit on as well a western clothing store so everyone can don a wide-brimmed hat.
A full bar and canteen selling all the show favourites including fairy floss, hot dogs, chips, steaks, sausages and rissoles will also be occupying the crowds on the day.
Mr Read said the response from the community has been fantastic during the whole process, and the support will help ensure the longevity of the Forbes Rodeo.
“The community support has been amazing, just last night someone donated $300 so it’s still rolling in,” he said.
“The funds go towards ensuring that we can have our own facility here in Forbes,” he said.
“Everyone has put in a lot of time and work this year to make sure we can have a rodeo which will stay in Forbes for the long term, and hopefully our work today will make it easier in the years to come.”
Despite wet weather forecasts for Saturday, member of the rodeo committee Jeff Freeman said rain will not halt the show.
“The grounds are grass so it wont be muddy and it drains pretty well so it would have to be a slosh pit for it to be called off,” he said.
“Water is just an element.”
The rodeo committee have hopes that the day will draw crowds in excess of 2000 people.
