The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association
ARGRA is a Calgary based not-for-profit society that is 100% volunteer driven. ARGRA was founded in 1991 and the first sanctioned Canadian Rockies International Rodeo was held in 1994. After years of consistent growth we now have a membership base of over 400. This makes us the largest gay rodeo association in the world!
The The Canadian Rockies International Rodeo (CRIR) is an International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) sanctioned event encompassing 28 associations and 4000 members worldwide.
The Canadian Rockies International Rodeo
We proudly boast the most unique rodeo on the IGRA circuit. We are able to offer all our events at one location, no other gay rodeo does this. This makes our event a favourite destination for many of the GLBT rodeo contestants and spectators. It is truly an international event with people coming from all corners of the globe to attend. We expect more than 4000 attendees to come to our events this year.
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It all gets underway with our Friday Cabaret. We consistently have the hottest country entertainment, each year upping the ante. Last year’s headliner was Emerson Drive. They followed many other great bands including; Aaron Pritchett, Farmer's Daughters, Gil Grand, Doc Walker, Lace, Chris Cummings, and Julian Austin. The weekend continues with pancake breakfasts, great rodeo events, rodeo entertainment, retail vendors, silent auction, dances, and awards partnered with our special brand of western hospitality and great food!
The rodeo has both traditional rodeo events like Bull Riding, Steer Riding, Barrel Racing, Roping Events as well as the popular camp events like Goat Dressing and Wild Drag. Getting those undies on a goat is not as easy as you’d think!
This year's headliner performer for the "BudLight Barn Burner Dance" is Aaron Pritchett with last years headliner act being Emerson Drive.
ARGRA is active year round and participates in the community. ARGRA is both well known and respected in our local community and well beyond those borders. We are a recognized symbol of western gay culture.
Activities:
- Rodeo Clinics
- Horse Club
- Monthly fundraising dances
- Participating in Calgary's Pride Festival
- Western Dance Lessons
Giving back to our community. We have given back to the community more than $60,000 since 2001!
