The second annual Indoor Spring Classic Rodeo kicked off April 19 at the Cariboo Memorial Recreational Centre in Williams Lake. This three-day event featured barrel racing, a barrel man/clown and dog act, bronc and bareback riding, bull and mini-bull riding, and steer riding. The Saturday event and dance were sold out with over 4,000 attendees for the duration of the weekend.
This is the first rodeo of the season in B.C. and Northern Development supported the Indoor Spring Classic with a $5,000 grant through the Fabulous Festivals and Events program.
The rodeo enhances and builds on the theme of the western lifestyle that the Cariboo is so famous for. It allows a safe, first-hand, up-close view of the rodeo sport and the participants, in a family-friendly environment.
“We were very pleased with the results of our changes to the rodeo format. The new roughstock and barrel racing template allowed us to add some extra entertainment and keep the running time under three hours all three performances,” said Roy Call, vice-president, Interior Rodeo Event Association. “The attendance was similar to 2023 with very near capacity crowds at all the rodeos and like always, the barn dance was a big hit and sold out. The event is such a big part of the event calendar in Williams Lake and we are already making plans for next year’s rodeo.”
