Get your kicks at Mareeba
DUST off your boots, grab your Akubra and buckle up your belt.
The 2017 Mareeba Rodeo Festival is here.
A Ute Muster and Junior Cowpokes competition gets a blockbuster two weeks under way at the town’s rodeo grounds this weekend.
The festival is an opportunity to bring out your inner cowboy or cowgirl and explore the Tablelands. Highlights include: Ute Muster (Sat, July 1) – Got a rig that is a sight for sore eyes? Register at Kerribee park from 8am, with judging to start at 9.30am.
Junior Cowpokes (Sat 12pm, July 1) – Entrants don their best western kit and are assessed on personality and conversational skills. Two age groups are 5-8-year-olds and 9-12-year-olds. Nominations are accepted on the day.
Mareeba Rodeo Ball (Fri, July 7) – The rodeo ball kicks off a weekend featuring art shows, bocce, tennis, indoor bowls, lawn bowls and golf.
Garden Competition (Judging on July 6) – The 51st Anniversary of Mareeba District Garden Awards.
Downtown Parade (Fri, 7.45pm, July 14) – A parade of queen entrants, floats, horses and trade displays usually attracts crowds of around 4000 people on Byrnes St. The Rodeo Festival Queen is crowned after the parade.
Mareeba Rodeo (Sat, July 15, 8pm to 9.30pm) – Watch the Far North’s best bronco and bull riders at the penultimate event at Kerribee Park.