Calgary Police Rodeo charity event puts first responders back in the saddle

What do you get when you mix firstresponders, a game of poker and an angry bull? A good time for a good cause.

On Saturday, the 35th-annual Calgary Police Rodeo will take over theCochrane Lions Club Rodeo Grounds for a day ofrodeo action while raising awareness for the Missing Children's Society of Canada and the John PetropoulosMemorial Fund.

"There's really two reasons we do it," Ward Stene, one of the rodeo directors,told the Calgary Eyeopener.

"One is to raise awareness for our charities but the second is to give our frontline emergency personnel a weekend to be with theirfamilies, to have fun, to just de-stress."

Stene said the rodeo has been a smaller affair in years past.

But since changing venues to the Lions Club Rodeo Grounds last year, the attendance number shave almost doubled with about 3,000 people are expected to attend this year.

"It's huge for us," Stenesaid."Our previous numbers were up around the 1,200, 1,500 rangeand Cochrane hasjust been an amazing host to us. So we look forward to our second year there."

Playing chicken with a bull

Stenesaid the rodeo features all the traditional rodeo events including bronco busting and bull riding. But this rodeo culminates with a round of Bull Poker a game of poker that turns into a game of chicken against a charging bull.

"But not many people get a chance to play poker because you're busy watching the bull, who is probably lining you up for a shot," said Stene."Sothe last person out of their chair is the winner."

2010 Calgary Police Rodeo Cowboy Bull Poker

7 years ago

Duration 0:30

2010 Calgary Police Rodeo Cowboy Bull Poker event

Police officers aren't the only first responders vying for some belt buckles. Firefighters, paramedics and even members of the Canadian Armed Forces will participatein the Calgary Police Rodeo.

Stenesaid the entire day is a family event and it caps off with a barn dance featuring live music.

Not all about the buckles

But the Calgary Police Rodeo isn't all just fun and games.

The event raises awareness for theJohnPetropoulosMemorial Fund, a charity set upto eliminate workplace fatalities afterConst.Petropoulosfell to his deathinvestigating a break and enter complaint in 2000.

• Calgary police mark 100 years since first officer killed in the line of duty

The Calgary Police Rodeo also benefits theMissing Children's Society of Canada,a group offormer law enforcement professionals whowork alongsideofficers to helplocatemissing children and providing support to their families.

Tickets for the 35th-annual Calgary Police Rodeo are available at theCochraneLions Club Rodeo Grounds on Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

Rodeo admission is $15, and tickets to the barn dance are $10. Both are available for$20. Admission for seniors is only $5,and kids under 12 get in for free.

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• With files from the Calgary Eyeopener