The weather gods were kinder to the Keremeos Rodeo this year than in the past two, helping to make for another successful weekend for the small but popular long weekend event.
With tempatures hovering in the low 20’s, overcast skies for the most part, and light winds, the weather was pretty much ideal for contestents and viewers alike.
A moderate crowd gathered at the rodeo grounds on River Road on Saturday to watch the intial events, which included a full round of rodeo, moderated by perennial favourite, Al Parsons. Jayson Charters made his debut as Parson’s clown sidekick, a departure from the last few years when J.J. Harrison provided the clowning around. All stock was provided by C+ Rodeos this year.
Sunday’s events included an extensive lineup of saddlebronc riders, along with increased attendance.
The weather through the weekend was mostly comfortable, with a few wind gusts from time to time to make things somewhat cooler, but still, not bad. Sunday’s steak barbeque in Memorial Park was nearly sold out, in spite of a brief period of inclement weather.
Parade weather was almost perfect, although overcast, much like the rest of the weekend. Some viewers were on the curb, waiting for the parade to start as much as an hour prior. Hundreds lined the street to watch a strong turnout for Keremeos’ first parade of the year.
Monday saw another moderate turnout in the grandstand for an afternoon of bullriding and barrel racing, with only a slight rain to mar the late afternoon.
The Keremeos detachment of the RCMP reported a fairly quiet long weekend in the community. There was a fracas outside a local bar on Saturday night, but no out of towners were arrested. A plate glass window in front of the Pasta Trading Post was broken over the weekend, when it appeared as though someone went through it. Blood and hair was found at the scene, but there was no evidence of burglery.