WITH less than two weeks to go, excitement is building for the 17th annual Weipa Rodeo.
With nominations nearly full and multiple professional bull riders making the trip to the Cape, organisers are tipping this year’s event to be the biggest ever.
Held on August 19 and 20 at Andoom Oval, this year’s rodeo features the inaugural Cape of Origin, with bull riders from across the region forming three teams under the guidance of Pro Bullriding Series cowboys.
“We wanted something fresh and new, and everyone loves the NRL State of Origin, so I thought we could do something similar, but with a Cape York twist,” Weipa Rodeo Association president Russell Scikluna said.
“The PBR boys are coming up to captain each team and they can’t wait, they’re so excited.”
Cape residents will have the chance to mingle with Australian bull riding royalty, with PBR world champion Troy Dunn flying into town early next week.
“On Tuesday we go to Aurukun, Wednesday we’re meeting school kids in Weipa, Thursday is the rodeo school and on Thursday night at the rodeo grounds we have a public meet and greet with Troy and the PBR bull riders,” Mr Scikluna said.
Rebranded from the Weipa Bullride to Weipa Rodeo, Mr Scikluna said the committee was focusing on introducing more rodeo events, with chute dogging and other novelty events, as well as the bushman’s buckjump.
“This year will be the biggest Weipa Rodeo so far, but next year we’re going to be even bigger, and adding in more rodeo events is the direction we want to head in,” he told Cape York Weekly.
“With the Cape of Origin and the grand opening light show held on both Friday and Saturday night this year, it’s going to be huge and it’s going to be exciting!”
Visit www.weiparodeo.com for more information.
