Hard 8 roughstock rodeo production’s Facebook

By Erika Rolling

Rodeo

Indoor rodeo returning to Evergreen Park after 15 year hiatus

Mar 5, 2023 | 6:00 AM

April 7-8, 2023, will be buzzing with rodeo action at Evergreen Park’s Lewis Hawkes Arena.

For the first time in 15 years, indoor rodeo events will be taking place at the venue, 42 years since the first was held. Events include:

• Bull riding
• Barrell racing
• Bareback riding
• Saddle bronc riding
• Young Stars of Tomorrow
• Ladies Ranch bronc riding
• Youth barrel racing 14 & under

Friday, the gates open at 6:00 p.m, with the first event at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, doors open at noon with the first event at 1:00 p.m.

Dwayne Sorken, contractor and organizer with Hard 8 Roughstock Rodeo Productions, says interest in the event has grown in a short amount of time.

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“We got people as far away as Vernon and Kamloops that’ve talked about coming for the barrel races, guys in Smithers and even central Alberta talking about coming for horse riding.”

The indoor event is slated for earlier than when the rest of the rodeo season regularly begins, Sorken says, “We used to have the Whispering Pines in April and we always had a good turnout, both spectators and cowboys cause it gives them somewhere to kick off right, and knock off the rust is how I’d word it before the real season starts.”

Sorken says some up-and-coming cowboys will be coming to compete, such as bareback riders Jackson Stannard and Chase Siemens.

A dinner, concert, and after-party will be held at the Jackpot Events Center on the Saturday following the rodeo performances, with TJ Ruckus playing for the crowd.

Dusty LaValley will be supported through a special 50/50 during the weekend, as the four-time Canadian Bareback Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer was diagnosed with ALS in 2022.

Sorken says Dusty has lent a helping hand to the rodeo community in the Peace country and to young cowgirls and boys wanting to get into the sport.

“To me… it’s just the right thing to do to step up and do what we can to help,” he says.

You can buy tickets for the rodeo on Evergreen Park’s website and the 50/50 for LaValley on rafflebox.