Despite a bleak weather forecast for the weekend, Rainmaker Rodeo organizers are still "pumped" for rodeo festivities. "There may be a couple of showers, it may be a little chilly, but we feel it's going to be pure bliss," said Patrick Dower, St.
Despite a bleak weather forecast for the weekend, Rainmaker Rodeo organizers are still "pumped" for rodeo festivities.
"There may be a couple of showers, it may be a little chilly, but we feel it's going to be pure bliss," said Patrick Dower, St. Albert Kinsmen president and rodeo chair.
"Rain or shine, we're a go."
As of Friday morning, Environment Canada predicted five to 10 millimetres of rain for Saturday with a risk of thunderstorm in the afternoon. Sunday will be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers.
Dower said although he stopped paying attention to the weather long ago, event organizers are prepared for whatever comes along.
"We've had some years where it rained the whole weekend … sometimes we have all four seasons in a day. But we're Albertans – we're tough and we're rough."
Shelters will be scattered around the exhibition grounds but rodeo attendees are advised to dress for the weather.
Dower said he doesn't believe the rain will deter people from coming out. Last year an estimated 18,000 people came down to the exhibition grounds and now in its 49th year, organizers don't see any sign of attendance dropping.
"It gets busier every year," said Wendy Hauser, assistant manager of West Coast Amusements, the company that supplies the midway rides, games and concessions for Rainmaker.
"But it never gets old," she admitted. The travelling carnival operation has been in the Hauser family for four generations.
This year attendees will see some new additions to the midway, including Charlie Chopper and Super Jet rides for kids. There will also be the three classics explained Hauser, the carousel, the Ferris wheel and the tilt.
People can also try their hand at the midway games, this year an iPad is the grand prize for winners of the ring the bottle game.
As fun as it is, admitted Hauser, there is one game in particular people just can't get away from.
"Throwing darts at balloons has been a favourite for 50 years, people love to hear that big pop!" she said.
Of course no midway would be complete without an assortment of deep fried confections people can munch on while taking their seats in the grandstands.
Deep-fried pies, poutine and a frozen yogurt trailer will be making their debut this weekend. Attendees can also find fair favourites such as mini donuts, wiggly chips (spiral fries), corn dogs, candy apples, deep fried onions and cotton candy.
For Melodee Mann, a midway ticket seller, the next two days will no doubt be exhausting, but well worth it.
"What I like is when you see the looks on the kids' faces," she said. "They're just so happy."
