[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

I don't think people have any problem at all with the hypocrisy of separating the televised death of a calf in a rodeo roping event from where they get their steaks.

It would be a mistake to rely on that kind of hopeful contradiction to keep rodeo alive. Cloverdale, Canada's fifth largest rodeo, banned calf-roping after a calf died in 2007.

The general joke in the Ag Society community is that if you want to lose money, hold a rodeo. That's because, generally, the group of people who are interested in attending a pure, stand-alone rodeo is pretty limited and diminishing. You see that at small town rodeos all the time. You would think those kinds of events would be the "heartland,' but they're the ones that actually struggle the most.

Where rodeo can survive and even thrive is to surround itself with a festival or other types of activities where its one aspect of the attraction, perhaps the theme, but making itself more attractive as an event to the general community. That in turn also makes it eminently more sponsorable for corporate dollars.

In general, around North America, the rodeos that have recognized they need to adapt and fit into the new social mores of their communities are the ones that are surviving and even increasing attendance.

If it was only the Calgary Stampede, as a pure rodeo, they'd probably draw flies. As "The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth," with the rodeo activities included with a package of activities for 10 days, its hanging in there.

By fitting themselves into a larger, more popular event they also build themselves some immunity and goodwill within the community. Like a cockroach, they get harder to kill.

Still, if its possible for bullfighting to be banned in Catalonia Spain, then its possible for rodeo to eventually be banned in increasingly urbanized North America.

Finding creative ways to enhance cash flow and navigating through changing social mores are the primary challenges facing rodeo.

Cowperson

Interesting post.

You need to wonder, if all rodeo eventually is eradicated, will the Stampede be the last one?