Rodeo of the century

It is an event 100 years in the making.

The 100th annual Falkland Stampeded takes place this weekend and to mark the milestone, some special events are planned.

Jason Churchill, stampede manager, said the three-day event kicks off Saturday with special events and rodeo action taking place through Monday afternoon.

“We're going to kick off the rodeo weekend with a re-enactment of the bucking horse drives that they used to happen in the '30s and '40s,” said Churchill.

For the bucking horse drive, Highway 97 will be closed from 11:40 to noon so the cowpokes can run the horses through Falkland and into the stampede grounds.

The rodeo action starts at 1 p.m. Saturday with the dance kicking off a 9 p.m.

The popular parade starts at 1 p.m. Sunday (Highway 97 will be again closed for 30 minutes) and the parade this year will feature some very special guests.

Churchill said there will 45 past Stampede and May Queens in the parade.

“One is going to be 101 years old, and several are in their 90s,” said Churchill.

A special entertainer has also brought in.

John Payne is a 15 time PRCA entertainer of the year will perform his wild west show Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Churchill said the longevity of the rodeo is due to community support and a strong volunteer base.

A full list if times and events can be found online.