November 3, 2018 | Red Deer, AB – Day five of the Canadian Finals Rodeo kicked off early on Saturday afternoon with the first-ever Junior Canadian Finals Rodeo Rising Stars performance, sponsored by MNP. Performance #5 of the CFR showcased today’s up-and-coming rodeo competitors where roughly 50 junior contestants competed for a shot at the $24,000 prize pot.
The Daily Pancake Breakfast ran from 8:00 – 10:00am in the Parkland Pavilion where sponsors, On Side Restoration, selected Ronald McDonald House Charities to receive suggested guest donations. Afterwards, guests were encouraged to head over to the massive CFR Tradeshow happening in the Prairie & Stockmen’s Pavilion from 10:00am – 7:00pm, as today was the second-last chance for guests to browse and shop vendor products. Within the Tradeshow, young guns were directed to the Kids Zone, sponsored by Funhaus, which was busy with activity as kids played games and bounced through an inflatable obstacle course.
Doors at the ENMAX Centrium opened at 12:00pm, and fans flooded in to receive autographs from the Junior Rodeo contestants along with the CFR Bareback Contestants before the first annual Junior CFR Rising Stars performance at 1:00pm. Once again, the autograph line-up grew substantially at 6:00pm as the Ladies Barrel Racing contestants sat to sign and meet fans, before Performance #6 began at 7:00 pm.
On the eve of what will be the most important day in the 2018 Canadian Finals Rodeo Orin Larsen captured his first solo go round win with a score of 87.00 while Craig Weisgerber also won his first go round in Steer Wrestling with a time of 3.5. In the Team Roping Levi Simpson and Jeremy Buhler along with Clay Ullery and Riley Warren tied for first with a time of 4.0. Zeke Thurston won his second go round in Saddle Bron with a score of 84.50, While Logan Bird and Stetson Vest ties in Tie Down Roping with a time of 7.9. In the Ladies Barrel Racing 14 year old Taylor Manning won her second with a score 13.640 and ending the night with Bull Riding was Zane Lambert with his first go round win with a score of 87.25.
The rest of Red Deer stayed abuzz throughout the second-last day of CFR with off-site events including a live performance from Ivan Daines at Murph’s Pub downtown, and live music from Dean Ray at JB’s Lounge.
Saturday night at the sold-out CFR Cabaret, presented by Real Country 95.5, brought musical performances from Wry & Ginger and Jamie Woodfin. The two opened on the TD Stage for headliner, Lindsay Ell, before The Dunagrees closed down the night.
Sunday, November 4 marks the final and most significant performance of the 2018 Canadian Finals Rodeo at Westerner Park. The Daily Pancake Breakfast will be followed by Cowboy Church, presented by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Marquis Room of the Harvest Centre.
The Tradeshow will be open from 10:00am –1:00pm and will be the last opportunity for guests to enter their ballads at the Dynasty Spas booth for a chance to win a massage chair valued at $9000.
Bull Riding contestants will be signing autographs in the ENMAX Centrium one hour before Performance #7 kicks off at 1:00pm, where history will be made as the 2018 CFR Champions will be officiated for the first time in Red Deer, Alberta.
For more information please contact:
Ashley Nelson
Marketing & Communications Assistant Manager
P 403.309.0205
E anelson@westernerpark.ca