Sporting new signage, the Bucking Bull Bar will be impossible for thirsty patrons to miss at the milestone 20th Weipa Rodeo at the weekend. Photo: Supplied.
There will be no confusion for patrons about where they are this weekend after a few last-minute infrastructure inclusions for the 2025 Weipa Rodeo.
One of the first things thousands of rodeo fans see when they arrive at Andoom Oval on 22-23 August will undoubtedly be the newly-signed Bucking Bull Bar, which is set to do a roaring trade as Weipa celebrates the 20th anniversary of its rodeo.
In addition, a new portable grandstand – complete with stunning Weipa Rodeo livery – has been built to give the crowd a bird’s-eye view of all the action from the arena.
Weipa Rodeo Association president Reuben Slingo said the new infrastructure was part of a longstanding plan to make setting up and pulling down each year’s event just that little bit easier for the committee and volunteers.
“How good is that bar?” he said.
“Every year, we try to do something that improves our event and the infrastructure at the grounds.
“The bar is something that has been on my list for a few years now – it is something that will benefit not just the Weipa Rodeo, but any event or community group that use the space.
“Everything we build as a permanent structure is one less thing that needs to be set up and torn down for every event; this gives us time to focus on improvements elsewhere; there is so much potential at the grounds for more than just a couple of events a year, and we are always thinking about what we can do next – watch this space.”
The milestone rodeo will boast six professional riders as well as special guest Troy Dunn, the only Australian to ever be crowned PBR World Champion, with the program teasing to provide two full days of entertainment in and out of the arena.
As the final countdown to the event begins, Mr Slingo praised his army of volunteers and said it would be an “impossible task” to work out how many hours had gone into this year’s rodeo to make it one to remember for competitors and the community.
“We would love to put a figure on the number of volunteers and hours that go into organising our event, but that would be an impossible task,” he said.
“All we can say is that we are incredibly fortunate to have an amazing committee and a very supportive network of sponsors that are willing to volunteer so much of their personal time and resources to bring this event to the community.”
The new portable grandstand is pure Weipa Rodeo, thanks to its new livery. Photo: Supplied.
