The worst-kept secret in Langford was confirmed Sunday when the head volunteers with the Luxton Pro Rodeo issued a joint statement saying the annual event has been cancelled.
The good news is that the annual fair, featuring the midway, Saturday night country dance, heritage displays and antique farm equipment and other activities will continue this year.
B次元官网网址淒ue to increasing costs, many due to living on an Island; the Luxton Pro-Rodeo Committee has decided the Luxton Pro-Rodeo Event is no longer economically viable,B次元官网网址� wrote rodeo managers Sandy West and Charlie Price. B次元官网网址淚n order to continue to operate, there would have to be a substantial gate fee increase. We do not wish to put this burden on the public.B次元官网网址�
Last yearB次元官网网址檚 admission price for adults was $20, with children 14 and under admitted free with an adult. Seniors and students up to 18 paid $15 per ticket.
Langford mayor Stew Young said he started coming to the Luxton Rodeo as a kid growing up in Langford. He hopes this doesnB次元官网网址檛 hurt the fair and that the other agricultural aspects of the events continue. The Rodeo had been running for 39 years.
B次元官网网址淚t is unfortunate they have shut down the rodeo, it will be a bit of a void for Vancouver Island for sure. It is not just a Langford thing, it is a draw for everyone really,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 hope the death of the rodeo doesnB次元官网网址檛 kill the rest of the society out there. We will probably have a meeting with them and see how we can help them continue on.B次元官网网址�
Like many rodeos these days, the Luxton Pro Rodeo was plagued in recent years by complaints about cruel treatment of rodeo stock, from both the B.C. SPCA and humane society groups including Victoria Citizens Against Rodeo Events (VCARE).
VCARE spokesperson Melissa de Muelles, who joined fellow members on a protest line at the fair entrance on Luxton Road last year, was pleased to hear of her hometown rodeoB次元官网网址檚 demise.
B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter why itB次元官网网址檚 cancelled, itB次元官网网址檚 a good thing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just glad to see itB次元官网网址檚 one less stop that rodeo animals will have to make.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址� with files from Arnold Lim
