The Jasper Heritage Rodeo organizers are beginning to get excited – and the rodeo is still weeks away. 

But those involved have a reason to be anticipating the 84th annual event, set for August 18 to 21. 

This year will see the return of a live country band on the Saturday night, and the rodeo organizers didn’t get just anyone to rock the stage. 

Two-time CCMA nominee Brett Kissel will be entertaining the crowd, with a DJ keeping the music going in between sets. Organizers expect the music to be going all night.

“We are so excited that we’re going to have a live band again this year,” said Pattie Pavlov, organizer of community events for the rodeo. “We are so proud and pleased we were able to secure Brett Kissel.” 

Also returning this year will be the Rocky Mountain Riders, a ladies drill group that will perform routines on horseback to music. 

“Boy did we miss them,” Pavlov said. “We are excited to have them.”

The ladies will perform twice at the Jasper Heritage Rodeo, including a performance in the dark under a black-out curtain, where the horses will be illuminated by glow sticks. 

“It’s really good entertainment,” Pavlov said. 

The rodeo has many other events geared towards children, including a contest for little cowgirls and boys age 8-11 to spend time with Miss Rodeo Jasper, and the rodeo’s barrel man and rodeo clown. 

Visiting with the rodeo queen and clown will allow the lucky kids to see what goes on behind the scenes at the rodeo. 

“I think it’s important for kids to learn the inside of the rodeo,” Pavlov said. “We can show people what rodeo is all about. It came out of having to catch animals to doctor them.”

August 18 will see the annual stick pony parade for kids of all ages. The stick ponies will be created the night before, and anyone can take part in the march through town – accompanied by real horses. 

“It’s a big deal,” Pavlov said. 

ATCO has once again sponsored the ATCO Little Britches Corral, which is a free event. Children will get to experience the job of the rodeo clown – from inside the barrel in the centre of the ring. 

Pavlov said 500-600 kids go through the kids area, and each one gets a free cowboy hat. There will be face painting and more in the corral. 

Local businesses can take part in the Chamber of Commerce’s decorating contest, and Pavlov encourages people to dig in their closets for that old cowboy hat or boots. 

“Calgary doesn’t have to have a monopoly on western culture,” Pavlov said. 

The rodeo will kick off with a dance at the Mountain Park Lodge for families on Tuesday, August 17, and the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade will hold a pancake breakfast at the station on August 21. 

“With any luck they won’t get a call,” Pavlov said. She remembers a year when the Rodeo Queen was left to hand out the flapjacks after the firefighters left for an emergency. 

For a complete list of events that will take place, see the Jasper Heritage Rodeo’s website at www.jasperheritagerodeo.com for more information.