Rodeo chases the bucks

By Kelly Yates
MORE than 2000 people flocked to Akoonah Park last weekend to catch a glimpse of the barrel racing events at the Berwick Rodeo and Music Festival.
The event, which ran on Saturday 28 March from midday, was a family fun showcase featuring an Australian Professional Rodeo Association endorsed rodeo, freestyle BMX displays, carnival rides, free face painting, circus acts, and market and food stalls.
Despite numbers being down, event organiser John Woods said the rodeo would be coming back to Berwick.
“We’re looking at doing a night-time rodeo in November next year, kicking off at 6pm,” he said.
More than 35 local and national riders all competed for the chance at taking home the prize pool of between $10,000 and $15,000.
“The competitors were happy with the venue and said they’d be back next year,” he said.
Rodeo enthusiasts were also treated to a variety of music from artists including Dale Ryder, from Boom Crash Opera, with The Bench, Tobasco Tom and Doc White, Mainstream and Claptonesque.
The event took Mr Woods and the organising committee around 15 months to plan.