The RAM Rodeo Tour is making one of its 14 Ontario stops in Severn this weekend.
The event kicked off Saturday at ODAS Park, just outside of Orillia, and will have an encore show Sunday, with gates opening at 11 a.m. About 150 cowboys and cowgirls are competing in horse racing, bull riding, and other rodeo events. Some of the competitors come from as far as Quebec, Manitoba and the United States.
Rodeo president Ross Miller says a lot more tickets have been sold for the local stop than they originally thought, with 2,000 sold in advance for the weekend.
“Normally, we sell more at the door,” he said. “We are doing pretty good here in Orillia.”
Miller says fans are creating a great atmosphere at the rodeo.
“Everyone stays in their seats, and they watch,” he said.” There is something here for everybody.”
For many in attendance Saturday, it was their first rodeo.
“A lot of people have never seen this before, especially the city folks. It’s new to them and it’s kind of fun,” he said.
Andrew Deschamps is a bullfighter from Quebec who got into the sport after being unsuccessful in bull riding.
“I’m a lot better at bullfighting,” he said. “It’s something I’ve stuck with.”
He says fighting a bull takes patience and agility.
“Bulls are like a big wheelbarrow,” he said. “Basically, when a bull rider falls down, we take that bull away from the rider.”
It’s his dream to make the pros and carve a career out of bullfighting. He is on the circuit almost every weekend during the summer. The risks that come with fighting a bull include every injury imaginable, including death, Deschamps says.
“I’ve kind of accepted it,” he said. “For sure, it’s scary, but you have to use that fear in a positive way to be better.”
Kyle Makins and his family came from Kilworthy to see the rodeo Saturday. They are loyal fans who travel frequently to watch rodeos.
“It’s an exciting atmosphere,” he said. “There is always loud cheering and lots of people.”
Theo Beau, of Orillia, was happy see the rodeo near his hometown this weekend.
“The bull riding is what I’m most looking forward to today,” he said. “This is my first rodeo, so I’m pretty excited to be here.”
Beau said he enjoyed the vendors at the rodeo and trying his luck on the mechanical bull.
“It’s harder than it looks,” he said.
Tickets for Sunday’s show are still available and can be purchased here.
