Bulls returning to rip and roar in Killarney
11th Annual Rippin’ & Roarin’ Bull Riding at the Shamrock Centre on Saturday, May 7
BY KIM LANGEN
Hold onto your hats, because the wild bull-riding rodeo event is coming back to town.
Sand will be laid down and ready for the 11th Annual Rippin’ & Roarin’ Bull Riding, sponsored by the Killarney Ag Society, which is taking place on Saturday evening, May 7, at the Shamrock Centre.
“It’s exciting to have it back, and it’s fun for the whole community,” said Brian LePoudre, one of the many volunteers who are helping to herd the wild show into town. “We have missed everything these last two years. This is an event we want to have in our community.”
New this year is the Calf Scramble, said LePoudre, which is nothing but some wild fun for the youngsters who choose to hop into the ring for an exuberant rush.
“We are having the Calf Scramble instead of the Pony Races,” he said. “A number of calves will be in the ring, with a ribbon on each one. Kids aged eight to 15 will get to chase the calves in the ring, and try to get the ribbons off. It’s more of a fun event, a participant event. If you want to join in, come to us at half time, and give us your name. People should bring their own helmet for this if they can, but we will have some helmets too.”
Doors at the Shamrock Centre in Killarney open at 5:30 p.m., and the wild action itself begins at 7 p.m.
The canteen will also be open, plus there’s a beer garden, a Cowboy Calcutta, and instant replay video of all the hot moments. And in addition to the bucking bulls there will be a bronc horse-riding event as well.
And after all that nerve jangling action and great music, it’s time to get down into the Party in the Dirt.
LePoudre, chair of the popular bull riding event, said that not only is it fun, but it also serves as a major fundraiser for the Killarney Ag Society.
It helps fund their infrastructure costs, supports other events, such as the Killarney Fair, and covers a number of other related expenses, he said.
“I have been involved from day one with the bull riding, along with a number of other volunteers,” said LePoudre. “There are a lot of us in the Ag Society, and others, who volunteer. This is our 11th bull riding event, and we all help make it happen. It is a lot of fun and excitement for everyone.”
Tickets for the 11th Annual Rippin’ & Roarin’ Bull Riding are available in advance at Killarney’s Lewis and Jones, and also at the door.
Adult tickets are $15; youth aged six to 12 are $5; and those aged five years and under get in free.
FLYING HIGH – Novice bull rider Cody Fitzpatrick takes flight in the 2019 event, which was the last time the Shamrock Centre hosted bull riding.
JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE
