The Jasper Heritage Rodeo might have earned a near-mythic status in the community thanks to its longevity and capacity to bounce back from seemingly impossible setbacks (like the loss of a lease for an outdoor event in 1967), but like any other major event, the rodeo relies on a few good men and women to run smoothly. And mostly, these stalwarts are volunteers, giving their time and energy for the love of the rodeo, and the love of Jasper.

Some of these good citizens sign up at the last minute to work a shift or two selling tickets for the night events, or manning the doors as part of a security detail, but a special breed of super volunteers have been returning to play their part, year after year.

One of these rodeo reliables is Gord Blasko. A former Jasper resident now living in Whitecourt and working in Mayerthorpe, Blasko explains his dedication as being a way to stay close to a sport he loves.

“I always get in there and do something,” he said. “I’ve been involved with the rough stock, but not for a little while now. Lately they have me running the calf chute for the roping and the steer wrestling events.”

Jasper isn’t the only rodeo where Blasko is a familiar face. He’s been helping out at Rod Hay’s bronc-busting event in Wildwood (east of Edson) for several years now, and he attends many more rodeos.

“I’d say I go to about a dozen or so and I always take the whole week off to go to the finals (Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton). It’s my sport, just like hockey is for some people, for me it’s rodeo.”

Blasko might be a vet, but he’s not been around as long as Bob Barker. The former park warden and bylaw enforcement officer is the true granddaddy of the Jasper Heritage Rodeo. He’s been helping out with the event ever since 1959.

“I started out as a go-fer, and just worked my way up,” he said. “I do it for the love of the community and to help out to keep the event going.”

Barker now lives outside of Niton Junction, and his departure from Jasper is indicative of a larger trend, he said.

“There used to be quite a Western atmosphere in Jasper, but there aren’t so many country people anymore. It’s become quite citified. Once there were about three to four hundred head of horses in the area, but many of the old outfitters are gone now.”

Barker still sees a bright future for the rodeo, observing that it’s mostly tourists filling the stands nowadays.

“I’d say three quarters of them are park visitors, it’s a pretty unique experience for someone from Japan or Germany.”

Barker may be getting on in years, but he still opens the chutes for the bucking events and makes sure that no one wanders onto the arena surface.

“I’m called the chute boss, but wherever a person’s needed, there you go. I’m hoping to get someone trained to do this job, I’d like to just sit back and watch for a change.”