LRA Finals about to take over St. Paul

It’s the sendoff for the rodeo season and the biggest get-together on the calendar in St. Paul.

The Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals got going this past weekend with the Bull-a-Rama and Rach Rodeo events before the major event starts on Thursday.

As Ag Society President Doug Drolet explained to Lakeland Connect, it’s a time when people come back home to St. Paul before school begins again.

“I say it’s been going on for over 30 years in St. Paul,” said Drolet.

“We have such a great group of volunteers. Anything needs to get done, gets done, and we get so much support to have everything come together.”

The festivities ramp up on Thursday with the 25th pancake breakfast from 7:00am-10:00am at ATCO Electric with proceeds going to St. Paul area Victim Services.

The Cornerstone Co-op will be the hub for a series of late morning and early afternoon activities, including a car show, chili cookoff, and the Capella Centre’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.

While the Love Local Vendor’s Market begins at the Old Legion Hall at 5:00pm, the first rodeo performance gets going at the Clancy Richard Arena at 7:00pm.

Friday events include pancake breakfast from 7:00am-10:00am at the St. Paul Legion Branch. Then the shotgun start for the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce Fundraising Golf Tournament begins at 9:00am. There is a hot dog lunch and pulled pork supper before the second performance begins on Friday night at 7:00pm.

Of course, the parade is a key feature of the weekend festivities on Saturday morning at 10:00am. There is a Ukrainian Lunch, Smitty’s is providing a Family Fun Zone at 11:30am at the curling rink with a petting zoo, tractor pull, face painting and glitter tattoos.

The kids day at the rodeo kicks off as the third LRA performance at 12:30pm with a mutton scramble as well.

The fourth performance of the event is at 7:00pm with a Beerfest to follow at 9:00pm.

Sunday is the finals starting at 1:00pm.