March 18 - Canadian Cowboy Ski Race

The atmosphere of the ski hill before the race started was full of energy and trash talking among all the cowboys who were competing that day. 

When I was driving up, it was so funny I pass this car and the official photographer, Covy and Rebecca Moore were in the vehicle just jamming out. So, I was thankful I had saw them on the highway because I am sure I would have gotten lost going to the hill. It was my first time ever going to Mount Norquay and I had no idea how it worked. When I parked, it was sprinkling outside and I thought, I have a couple outfit choices, so I thought I would just bring all of them in a bag and just leave it in the club house. 

It was so fun I saw Miss Rodeo Canada Ali Mullin just skiing to the bottom of the hill after a run and met up with her to find out where we could help. I put my stuff down inside and I was one of 4 girls who signed up for the ski race. I was very surprised because from what I saw the event last year on Facebook, there was way more than four girls. My favorite part was stumbling around in my ski boots with my hat and crown and skiing down the hill with my chaps on. There was just something about the pride of representing my city with hat and crown and then on top of that doing something that I love doing in my free time in the winter, skiing.

All the looks from the people skiing the hill who were not involved in the Canadian Cowboy Ski Race had lots of questions. I had a great time telling individuals who asked what rodeo Queens do in the rodeo community and provided some more information on why were at the ski hill with cowboy hats and chaps flapping in the wind. The event was sponsored by Back on Track in support for the sports medicine team and had some great recognition for Ty Pozzobon. For those of you that don’t know, the rodeo community is very tight and they had lost a brother in the month of January to depression because of multiple concussions. It has been a very eye opening tragedy that has happened in the sport of rodeo and I am glad that people are now paying more attention to the safety of these cowboys.

On another note, I pretty much spend the day with Ali shredding up the hill and answering lots of questions. When race time came, we were both very nervous but we made sure we took a practice run before and thought, “whoa this won’t be so bad.” But when I found out I was going head to head with the ex-champion from 2014, I was hoping there was some way that I had a chance. My first race and I got my loss handed to me on a silver platter. I told myself I am showing up trained and ready to go for 2018! I hope to see more supporters, cowboys, cowgirls and any others who want to come to the hill and have a great time and meet some incredible people.  I can say this is for sure in the top 10 of my favorite things I have gotten to do this year, and I hope the list keeps growing because Emily and I have a busy 3 months coming up!

Yours Truly,

Airdrie Pro Rodeo Princess 2016

Katie Hlushak

March 18 - Shamrock Shimmy

The Airdrie food bank has been a huge part of our growing city with last year being no exception. With the economic downturn The Airdrie food bank plays a huge role in providing students with snacks, family's with meals and offering education on hunger related issues. None of this would not be possible without many generous volunteers and since the beginning of our rein, one particular volunteer, Quinn Donaldson has been a familiar face at many of our local events representing the food-bank so when we were invited to the Shamrock Shimmy we were super excited to see her again. 

As we walked through the door to the Town and Country,  we were greeted to a room filled with tables and chairs all decorated in green and along both sides of the room, tables filled with silent auction items all donated by local businesses. Each table was decorated with 4 leaf clovers, sparkles and beautiful center pieces.  

As the night began, Katie and I sold VIP tickets, greeted people and of course, took selfies with the mayor. As dinner finished, the live auction began with help from our auctioneer Brent Miller. It was heartwarming to see the generosity that lies within Airdrie as we auctioned off sunglasses, space heaters, and of course, Fred Burleys famous 5 course dinner. But the best part of the night was still to come as folks flooded the dance floor for some line dancing lessons, and Katie and I learned that Ron Chapman has the best dance moves of us all.

Our Airdrie food bank has helped keep Airdronians on their feet for the past 30 years and it will continue to do for the next 30 years to come. Katie and I are so lucky to have attended such wonderful and charitable event supported by the City we love. 

Congratulations to all of the volunteers hard work! You are an amazing spirit to have in our community!

Emily Marston

Miss Rodeo Airdrie 2016

Looking into the Past - Airdrie Pro Rodeo Royalty

As the Director of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo Royalty, it fills my heart with so much joy to watch our Royalty embrace every opportunity they have in the course of a year.

I have had the privilege to be a part of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo for over 10 years now.  What an amazing group of people I get to volunteer with.  It's not work, it's fun.

I am a past contestant (3 times) for this pageant, and although I never had the opportunity to hold a title, I am right where I need to be.  The growth in myself 3 years as a contestant, & the growth as the director is something I wouldn't not change for anything in the world.

To watch these gals come in with wide eyes, and a openness to embrace and partake in every single opportunity presented is just amazing, and I am so lucky.  My favorite part of this is when I get a phone call after an event, telling me what an amazing time they had, who they met, and what they got to partake in, puts a smile on my face.  I may have heard about the same event about a dozen time, but to 2 years have ever been the same.

In 2017 Airdrie is Celebrating 50 YEARS, of Rodeo.  What a milestone.  We are still looking for ladies to take part in our pageant and represent this amazing city for 365 days.

I've compiled some pictures I have found for the years in which I am honored to be a part of.

Please e-mail me at airdrierodeoroyalty@yahoo.ca  for a full application for this years Pageant.

Leanne Grenier
Airdrie Pro Rodeo - Royalty Director.

 

Feb 25, 2016 - BGCA Gala- New Year's in New York

The Boys and Girls club did not disappoint with an extended New Year’s Eve Party at Apple Creek Golf Course this past Saturday Feb 25, 2017. The night was so eventful with the live entertainment at cocktail hour, a few speeches while waiting to eat dinner, and  then following was another singing performance that kept us itching to see what was coming next. 

Giving some time in between the meal and entertainment, the silent auction items were fantastic because they ranged anywhere from paintings, to fortune tellers, and to a mountain bike. (And even an Airdrie Pro Rodeo Basket put together by yours truly!) .

I look back on the night and the most fun I had was interacting with everyone at the New Years Eve Photo Booth and help take photos of other groups as well as getting in and photo bombing as many photos as possible! The photo booth also had some great props to add to our picture fun and I think the best one was when Emily and I joined the The Pin- Up Girls for a Cause in a group picture with all of the silly props :)

I also wanted to send a shout out to our Mayor Peter Brown for being such a great supporter of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo Royalty and our Association. He approached us that evening to thank us for everything we do in the community of Airdrie and it really does hit home for me. Every little support in our community makes it a a large difference and we can only go up from here. 

Thank you so much to Jessica Nash and her committee for putting on the party of the year and the opportunity to be involved in such a great event that goes back to the children of this community.

Yours Truly,

Airdrie Pro Rodeo Princess 2016

Katie Hlushak