Although Edmonton’s pro hockey team is in training camp, 130 truckloads of rodeo dirt will soon replace the ice at the city’s downtown arena. The annual Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) returns to Rogers Place, Ice District and the Edmonton Expo Centre next month, with 43,000 people expected to take in four days of rodeo action during Canadian Finals Rodeo Week, Oct. 5-11. The CFR returned to Edmonton two years ago after a six-year run in Red Deer. Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development and venue management at Explore Edmonton, said the CFR is a “historically important event” that generates more than $30 million in economic impact for local businesses. “For everything that’s happening around CFR, our city really comes together, and all the activities, all the things we’re doing around our city, are bringing more visitors here, reinforcing Edmonton as a destination and ensuring our businesses, hotels and restaurants benefit from this event,” he told CTV News Edmonton on Monday at a media event promoting rodeo week activities. CFR competitions include bull riding, bareback riding, steer riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing. The Canadian Country Expo runs alongside the rodeo at the Edmonton Expo Centre. It is expected to attract more than 900 competitors and 1,200 animals across three competition arenas, along with more than 100 vendors offering western lifestyle products and services. The expo will feature western lifestyle, culture and entertainment activities, including a trade show, live music, rodeo events and free family programming. A free shuttle will operate between the Expo Centre and Rogers Place throughout the event. Competition at the Expo Centre includes the Million Dollar Breakaway, an all-female breakaway roping event; the Canadian Youth Rodeo Championships, where 158 athletes will compete for $50,000 in prize money; the Heritage Ranch Rodeo, featuring competitions inspired by working ranch life; and the new BYOB Bull Battle, where some of Canada’s top riders will ride their own bulls for a shot at $25,000. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Darcy Seaton
