Ayer’s Cliff Rodeo gets gov’t support

Tourisme Québec has just announced a grant of $60,000 grant over three years to the Ayer's Cliff Rodeo. The money will be used to promote the event outside Quebec.

The grant represents an amount of $19,000 per year for 3 years, and an additional $3,000 to allow an independent firm to conduct independent research on where the rodeo’s clientele is from.

"This grant will be used to ensure the continuity of the event and to promote it and to attract people from outside Quebec," said Rodeo Vice-president Louis Charland.

Since its inception four years ago, the Rodeo has counted on the participation of hundreds of volunteers - 160 this year - and although the event did not break last year's record for attendance in general, the organization still points to record attendance for Saturday afternoon and for the evening show featuring Meghan Patrick and Robby Johnson.

"This was our best night for shows in four years," said Charland. ”However, the rain on Friday and the overwhelming heat on Sunday meant we did not beat our record overall."