It's Virden's largest summer event starting tomorrow - The Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze!

Event Board President, Thomas Hagan, says they're expecting a great turnout from locals, visitors and rodeo participants! 

"It's going to be great!  We can't wait to put people in the seats and fill the arena!" says Hagan.  "The town gets pretty electric during this event, right from Thursday to Sunday.  So, it's going to be nice to see, and I think everybody in town and the surrounding area, they're ready for that!"

Entering it's 32nd year, Hagan attributes the success of this event to a number of things, including a strong committee and a strong volunteer base.

"We focus on what people want to come to and create an exciting, live event and so when it starts the Thursday with downtown events, and ends on Sunday with the rodeo performance, there's kind of something for everybody.  You can bring your family out, it's not super expensive for the kids, and the timing is perfect.  The students are all just about to go back to school.  It's a real send-off party for them," shares Hagan. "That is all done by a strong, strong board and volunteers."

"As always we have an extremely sound local entry," he adds. "We had over 40 locals enter from what we consider from Virden.  I don't think a lot of other committees are blessed with that.  This is really rodeo-town!  I mean we can almost have an entire rodeo performance of just Virden people, and that's pretty cool!"

Rodeo performance will take place at the Tundra Oil and Gas Place on Friday evening, 2x on Saturday and finishing up on Sunday evening.  Rodeo admission is at the door, but Hagan encourages folks to come early as the place will pack out fast!

Hagan says the facility is perfect for the indoor rodeo, being climate controlled, and its beneficial for both the riders and the animals.

"It's amazing for rodeo!  If it's hot outside or it's raining it doesn't matter! You're in there and you're dry and nice and cool.  Traditionally, a Virden rodeo tends to be 32 degrees out or raining, like we're seeing right now.  So, it's an amazing venue!"

List of Events:

Thursday, August 18th:

-11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. – Free Stakeholder and Community Barbeque at Victoria Park

-Downtown Daze 5:00 to 10:00 PM – Stores will be open AND various family activities, bouncy castles, face painting, mini donut truck, Indigenous Eats, Mexican King food trucks etc, W.D. Fire Department and local vendors.   Local Artists Prairie Joe AND country artist Kendra Kay will be performing live

- Wild West Days Show and Shine - 5:00 to 9:00 -Farmers Market area, weather permitting

Friday, August 19th:

-8:00 A.M. – High School Rodeo – Tundra Oil & Gas Place

-7:30 P.M. – RODEO PERFORMANCE - Tundra Oil & Gas Place

Saturday, August 20th:

-8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. - Community Pancake Breakfast at Virden Legion Hall

-10:00 A.M. – Parade Departs from Virden Collegiate

-12:00 P.M. – Rodeo Slack – Tundra Oil & Gas Place

-12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. – Four Seasons Tailgate Party – Virden Curling Rink – includes BBQ, Carnival Games & Live Music

-2:00 – 3D Barrel Racing at Outdoor Arena

-7:30 – RODEO PERFORMANCE -Tundra Oil & Gas Place

10:00 – 2:00 – DAZE DANCE - Virden Curling Rink

Sunday, August 21st:

-9:30 A.M. – Manitoba Calf Ropers Unlimited Finals - Tundra Oil & Gas Place

-11:00 A.M. – 3D Barrel Racing - Outdoor Arena

-1:00 P.M. – Demolition Derby - Track on P.R. #257 (1/8 mi. west of cement plant) ...(11:30 driver registration cut off)

-5:30 P.M. – RODEO PERFORMANCE - Tundra Oil & Gas Place

 

For the full schedule of events, visit their website at:  www.virdenindoorrodeo.ca

Listen to more of the interview with Thomas Hagan, and CJRB's Barry Lamb below.