It’s a tradition – the final full weekend of October every year the nation’s top riders, best broncs and fiercest bucking bulls gather for the Ariat Warwick Rodeo and Pryde’s EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft.
From 23 to 29 October this year the town will be buzzing as riders and bucking stock come together to try and prove the old saying wrong – “never the horse that couldn’t be rode, never the rider that couldn’t be throwed”.
The event brings a festival atmosphere to Warwick and attracts crowds in excess of 30,000 people with competitors and horses travelling from every mainland state to compete.
Warwick Show and Rodeo Society Inc secretary Terri Gilbert said this year’s rodeo promised to be extra exciting both in and out of the arena. The music for this year’s event will be particularly exciting and there is a new Art Union aimed at helping support the local community.
“This year the Warwick Rodeo will have one of the country’s best line up of country music talent with Thursday night kicking off with Southbound and young up and comer Charlie Fittler,” she said.
“Friday will see Casey Barnes grace our stage with the new and exciting Billy Gudgeon Band with Saturday night going off with a bang with Brad Cox who has just been nominated for the Aria awards and the brilliant young local band making a name for themselves The 78 Sound.
“We have upgraded to a 8.5 Scaffolding stage which will be set in the arena so that everyone can enjoy these bands from the grandstands or come and dance the night away for the first time ever on the sand of the iconic Warwick Rodeo Arena.
“The main acts will kick off at 9pm each night so we are a family friendly event. Under18s, accompanied by an adult, are welcome to attend all areas of the grounds until midnight and over 18s welcome to revel until 2am.”
She said organisers were particularly excited about the new Warwick Rodeo art union with all proceeds going back to local charity Protea Place.
“There is a chance to win $35 000 in cash by drawing the winning horse and rider in the Gold Cup Final,” she said.
“The cost will be $20 a ticket and everyone that draws a horse in the final win winning $500.
“We are really proud of this art union and are hoping to make this an annual event and with all the proceeds going back into the community we are hoping the community support it. We hope to raise between $50 000 and $200 000.
“In the future we would like to be able to help as many local charities and community groups financially with sizable donations to help. Tickets available on I Wanna Ticket or our website.”
Once again the event has a special package allowing rodeo and campdraft fans to treat themselves to the ultimate VIP experience.
“The ultimate experience will include a tour of the rodeo chutes, four-day entry to event, a meet and greet with rodeo royalty including rodeo queens, bullfighters, pick up men and rodeo champions past and present,” Terri said.
“All food, beer and wine is provided. For this year’s experience we have made a new VIP Deck in a prime position on the grounds to get the royal treatment, getting the best views in the house to watch the rodeo and bands, mingle with VIP guests and rodeo royalty.
“We will also take you for a behind the scenes experience in our chute viewing box with a guided tour with experienced rodeo cowboys, cowgirls and 2023 Rodeo Queens. Totally cost for a six hours experience will be $1000 per person, which will also include a four-day pass to the event.”
For tickets and the latest information on the event head to warwickshowandrodeo.com.au
