Canadian Finals Rodeo returns to Edmonton with cattle drive parading through downtown

Cattle drive through Edmonton Canadian Finals Rodeo week kicked off in Edmonton on Wednesday with a cattle drive. Nicole Weisberg has the story.

The Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) kicked off their return to Edmonton with a bang.

Ranchers and rodeo professionals led a cattle drive through the downtown core on Wednesday bringing the sights and sounds of all things rodeo.

The cattle drive signifies CFR's big return to Edmonton after a seven-year hiatus – just in time for its 50th anniversary of showcasing the best in the west.

The event began at Churchill Square along 102A Avenue and wrapped-up at Fan Park at Rogers Place. The cattle drive started at noon on Wednesday and ran until 1 p.m.

Edmonton was home to the rodeo for more than 40 years but was previously held in Red Deer for the past five years.

The rodeo will bring many fan-favourite events including bareback, bull and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, roping and barrel racing. A full schedule of the competitions are listed here.

CFR will take place at Rogers Place from Oct. 2 until Oct. 5.