By Stephanie Stevens

What better way to spend a Friday evening in Invermere than with bull riding, Mexican poker, a 50/50 draw, food vendors and a street dance with live music?

And the icing on the cake: it all goes to support the Columbia Valley Rockies.

This is the 24^th annual bull riding fundraiser for the local Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Junior A team.

Originally branded Bull Bustin’ in the Rockies and held in the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena, Bull Riding in the Rockies has undergone the inevitable tweaks any long-term event sees.

It is now held in the lot across from The Eddie on 13^th Street and this year the dance portion of the evening will be an open-air event, albeit under a tent to fend off any inclement weather.

CV Rockies president Brett Holt said despite some last-minute change ups that resulted in a bit of a scramble, they are on track for a “fantastic event July 19.

“We had a few setbacks to navigate and some significant unexpected expenses, but we are still looking forward to putting on a heck of an event,” said Holt.

“Phil Sommerville and Nina Reilly have once again given us the go ahead to use their property free of charge for the bull riding in their support of the team and we are so grateful they do so.”

One of the curveballs Holt referred to was building all new bleachers for the stands, a hefty ticket item for a non-profit to foot the bill for.

“Between the bleachers and the cost of the running the team, our expenses have gone way up, so we did have to raise the ticket prices,” he said. “But it is more than one event for the ticket: you get the entertainment of the bull riding and then live bands. Cole Malone (along with some local talent yet to be announced) will headline the dance.”

The increased cost of running a Junior A team is most noticeable with away games. Fuel, food and hotel costs have increased significantly over the past few years and the team is feeling the bite.

Associate head coach Tucker Braund said the bonus of community support for the team cannot be understated.

“It is so huge for us. We rely on them a lot for support during games, billeting the kids who come there to play and of course the monetary value the community provides us with…. without that we wouldn’t be able to operate a competitive hockey team in the valley.”

Proceeds from Bull Riding in the Rockies accounts for about 25 per cent of the club’s annual budget.

Tickets are available on Showpass and the early bird price is $55 until June 30 and $60 per person after that.

Caio Paagman photo

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