Who says participating in a rodeo is only for experienced cowboys? The Cochrane Lions don't.

Next Friday, July 13, the club is introducing the Average Joe Rodeo where up to 12 teams of five will compete in six challenging but entertaining events. A dance follows at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre.

Co-chairs Chris Connon and Kevin Firkus say the event is somewhat like the Doggy-Do rodeo where regular guys and gals can try their hand at novelty rodeo events in the hunt for prized championship rodeo buckles and bragging rights.

The cow scramble, for example, will see three contestants per team run down a small herd of cattle. Four of them will have ribbons tied around their neck and the team has to retrieve them all, then race back to the starting line. Fastest time wins the event.

You can't help but look forward to the greased pig event, where three team members have to chase and catch a pig, then hold it down for 10 seconds.

Other events include cow stripping, steer roping, chute dogging and cow riding.

Exactly who will do what for the Rebel Comics team hasn't been sorted out, but their team is raring to give it a try.

Devin Petitclerc, of Rebel, says none of them have rodeo experience but they have tons of community spirit.

"It will be great publicity for the company, of course, but it's also nice to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. We're all about supporting the community and being part of it expanding and becoming bigger and better." 

The Backroad Traveler Band is performing at the dance that follows the rodeo.

Gates of the Lions Rodeo Grounds on 5th Ave. open at 3 p.m. and the rodeo runs from 3:30 to about 7:30 p.m. A dance follows featuring the band Backroad Traveler Band that came recommended by TC & Company (who played at the club's Spring Barn Dance). The band is veterans of many bars and rodeos and have opened for the likes Dean Brody, Aaron Pritchett and Emerson Drive, They play a mixture of modern country, country rock and classic rock and have a new album scheduled for release on Aug. 1.

The dance follows on the footsteps of a hugely successful sold-out Lions Spring Barn Dance and the club has been itching to hold another.

"I've talked to so many people," says Firkus. "They had so much fun and they want to have another one."

The price is right for the day, too. Rodeo admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and youth and 12 and under are admitted free. It's $15 for the dance. Buy both and it's just $20.

The rodeo is ideal for the whole family and they'll be food trucks onsite and a beer garden. Tickets are available at the gate but you can also buy them in advance on Eventbrite.

There's Still Time to Enter a Team

There are just a few spots left for teams that will be filled on a first come, first served basis. The teams are formed by five people with a minimum of one woman. Each team member must participate in two of the six events. 

The entry fee is $500 per team. It includes advertising opportunity for team sponsors and 10 tickets to the dance that follows. 

For more information on how to register a team, visit the Cochrane Lions Club Rodeo Facebook page.