It's the last year for the rodeo.
The Humboldt Summer Sizzler and Rodeo will have to change its name in 2012, as this is the last year the event will include a CCA sanctioned rodeo at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
The Sizzler, to be held June 24-26, will change next year to focus on something else after close to a decade of the rodeo acting as the main event.
"We're moving in a different direction," said Jason Blechinger, special events and programs coordinator for the City of Humboldt Community and Leisure Services department.
"We've been in contact with West Coast Amusements (regarding) bringing back a midway for 2012," he said.
The rodeo has simply run its course, Blechinger indicated.
Attendance at the rodeo has been fair for the last few years, but has been steadily declining, and it was felt it was simply time for a change.
The City wants to switch it up and do something different, Blechinger said, in order to keep it fresh for people.
Humboldt has switched from hosting a rodeo to having midway rides once before in its recent history, he added.
But the main event at the 2011 Summer Sizzler will remain the rodeo.
The entire weekend will kick off on June 24 with a barbecue in Civic Park by Humboldt Special Olympics. It will run from noon until 6 p.m. again this year, to hit both lunch and supper crowds before the parade begins.
They tried this last year, Blechinger noted, but ran into issues because of rain.
Rain or shine, the parade will begin at 6 p.m. on June 24, he said. It will follow its traditional route, and will hopefully be a big one.
Already, there are 12 parade entries in.
"We're hoping people will get their parade entries in before June 10, but we will accept them until the 23rd or 24th," he stated.
Last year, there were 42 entries in the parade, and Blechinger is hoping to hit and maybe even surpass that number this year.
"Fifty? Great," he smiled. "Sixty? Awesome."
Following the parade, Jackpot team roping and barrel racing, part of the Canadian Timed Events, will take place at the Elgar Petersen Arena (EPA).
And later, in meeting rooms 1-3 in the Uniplex, the band Whiskey on a Sunday will be performing.
Put on by the Carlton Trail Ski Club, the show will be kind of like a cabaret, Blechinger said.
"It's always a great fund-raiser for them," he said of the ski club, who volunteered to host this event.
On Saturday, the CCA sanctioned rodeo will begin at 6 p.m. at the EPA. All the traditional events, from calf roping to bronco busting and bull riding will go on that night. A new addition this year will be wild horse racing, which will happen at the beginning of the night.
"I've never seen it," Blechinger admitted, but the people who do it were recommended to him by the stock contractor for the rodeo.
"It's something new," he said.
The rodeo should run until about 9:30 p.m., at which time the JCI Humboldt rodeo cabaret and dance will begin.
Bands Kal Hourd and Wyatt will be performing at the dance, held in the curling rink for the second time this year.
The rink worked out last year, Blechinger noted.
"Everyone had a good time," he said.
And unlike in 2009, they did not have to turn anyone away. About 400 people attended the dance in 2010, which is more than would fit in its previous location, Jubilee Hall.
Blechinger would like to see even more come out for it, though .
"I'd like to see 800 people in the curling rink," he said.
On Sunday, the rodeo will again take centre stage and run from 1 p.m. until about 4 p.m.
The JCI Humboldt Demolition Derby will start at 3 p.m. this year, which is earlier than other years, but it will be held in the same location - in front of the grandstands next to the Uniplex.
Other plans for the weekend are still to be determined. Blechinger is hoping to line up a First Nations hoop dancer for a performance sometime over the weekend, for example.
However, some events, like the Greasy Pig event, and mutton busting, will definitely not be happening this year, though they were big draws, especially for kids.
The reason? They can't find the required livestock.
Kids will be the centre of celebrations on July 1 in Water Ridge Park, though.
Humboldt's celebrations for Canada Day, which falls on the Friday following the Summer Sizzler, will kick off with the Red, White and Run - a new run/walk event to raise funds for Humboldt walking trails - and a pancake breakfast put on by the Water Tower Committee.
Kids' activities, entertainment and food booths will take over the park for most of the day, with official ceremonies at 6 p.m.
Another new part of Canada Day this year will be kite flying - both professional and amateur - in an area across Mile Lake from the park.
Local people are welcome to enter, Blechinger said.
The day will wind up with fireworks at dusk, shot over Mile Lake.
