Last August, as the Jasper Heritage Rodeo wrapped up its final night in the Jasper Arena—its home of 37 years—there was no telling whether it would live to see another year.
Prior to the event, the municipality had told the rodeo association that 2014 would be the last year the long time event would take place in its facility, and at the time it had no prospects for a new home.
In the months that followed, the association worked tirelessly with Parks Canada to secure an outdoor venue, in hopes of returning the 89-year-old event to its roots.
The Jasper Heritage Rodeo began in 1929 with the outfitters and ranchers who called Jasper home. The event was born out of a love of horses and a mission to breed suitable horses for the area’s mountain trails.
In those days, it was held on the land where Whistlers Campground is today. The event lived there from 1926 to 1969.
It was in 1977 that the event moved indoors, never to see the light of day again—at least not until last week.
After months of negotiations with Parks and long hours of planning, building and setting up, last week the rodeo returned to its old stomping grounds—or, at least, as close to them as possible—up the road from the campground.
And, by all accounts, it went off without a hitch.
That’s despite the fact that the rodeo association only had a few months to get everything together, having only been told they had the venue in the spring.
It’s a remarkable feat, especially considering the board is made up of only a few dedicated volunteers.
There’s a lot of history that got the rodeo to where it is today, including a number of disappointments along the way, but with a three-year contract in hand for its new rodeo grounds and a successful event under its belt, the association appears to be saddled up for a bright future.
We tip our hats to the association and its dedicated volunteers, as well as everyone who helped to bring Jasper’s rodeo back to its former glory.
We look forward to another rousing outdoor rodeo next year, when the Jasper Heritage Rodeo celebrates its 90th anniversary.
