Although attendance was about average for the first two days of the 13th annual Bulls and Wagons, an attendance record was unofficially set on the third and final day.
Jack Nichol, chair of Go Wild, Go West Bulls and Wagons, which is a subcommittee of the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association, said last week that he had the impression the inaugural Model T race held on Sunday, Aug. 7 played a role in setting that attendance record.
“It was an event that brought in quite a bit of extra interest,” he said about the Model Ts and the racers who competed in a one-heat, five-lap race.
“They're looking forward to coming back next year.”
Meanwhile, all the spectators who stayed until the end seemed to enjoy the introduction of the Model T race, he said.
And despite the lack of cooperation from the weather — heavy, intermittent rains threatened the cancellation of races on Sunday, Aug. 7 — the annual event largely went off without a hitch, he said.
“Considering the weather, I believe it turned out very well. We weren't even sure we'd be racing on Sunday.”
However, organizers did have to reschedule the program that day on account of the rain that resulted in poor track conditions that were too wet and muddy to race on, he said.
“We usually have the bull riding after the chuckwagons.”
Instead, the decision was made to start Sunday's program with infield events and bull riding ahead of the chuckwagon and chariot races. That approach bought the additional time needed for the track to dry up sufficiently for the chuckwagon, chariot and of course Model T races as well, he said.
Another asset to this year's Bulls and Wagons program was the introduction of the boys' steer riding that is broken down into three categories for competitors aged 8-14. There were 10 who competed this year. Organizers hope to also make this event an annual feature of the program, he said.
And of course there was no shortage of bull riding action with 30 riders and a short-go, meaning after all the competitors have had a chance to ride, the top-six then face off in a final round.
“There's always at least 36 bull rides. Sometimes, with re-rides, it could be 40 (on each Saturday and Sunday),” he said.
When Nichol spoke with the Round Up on Thursday, Aug. 11, the subcommittee had not yet had a chance to meet and go over details including how much money was raised as well as getting an accurate count on the number of people who came throughout the weekend.
“I wouldn't be surprised if we're down financially a bit from last year on account of the economy — it's affecting everybody.”
Although some sponsors who have traditionally provided some funds were not able to support the event this year, others who were new to Bulls and Wagons stepped up to the plate, helping to make the event a reality, he said.
Until the subcommittee had a chance to pay off all the bills and crunch the numbers, it would not know for certain whether its bottom line was black or red, he said.
But “being slightly in the red won't stop us from doing it again,” he said.
“Those are the kinds of trials and tribulations that go with these kinds of events.”
He estimated as many as 6,000 people came throughout the whole three-day event. Additionally, the families of the chuckwagon drivers tend to spend an average of five days in Sundre, which in turn means there is a significant boost to the local economy as they shop around town, said Nichol.
“One (family) even bought a new holiday trailer from a local dealer.”
The subcommittee will be meeting in September to start planning an even better event next year, but until then, Nichol said he's glad to have the opportunity to catch his breath and unwind.
