Excitement is building towards an unforgettable celebration of rodeo, western heritage, and community in Drayton Valley next weekend.
Big West Days runs Aug. 21-23, 2026, at the Drayton Valley Lions Club Rodeo Grounds and is sure to let the good times roll.
Hosted by the Drayton Valley and District Ag. Society, it will be three days of western action, family fun, and top-calibre competition.
Alton Wood, president of the Drayton Valley and District Ag Society, says Friday night will feature Bulls in the Valley Bull Riding.
“The bull riding is a Bull Riders Canada-sanctioned event. We’re going to have 25 riders in the long-go and eight in the short-go. It’s a $5,000 added event,“ he explains. “Of course, these guys are all working on getting to the BRC finals in Sylvan in November, so this is definitely a good-paying stop along the way for them. We’re pretty lucky. It’s our first year and the entries really rolled-in and it’s going to be a big show!”
Being the event’s first year, Wood admits they were a little worried with what level of interest they might receive.
“The cowboys are coming out to support us, and that’s what we need,” says Wood.
“We’ve put these events on in our community, for our communities in hopes that our community will support it, and so far, the sponsors darn sure have” exclaims Wood. “But what’s really going to tell the tale is at 6:00 p.m., when those grandstands start filling up. If the community comes out and supports it, that’s telling us that we’re on the right track and they want to see these types of events.”
Saturday features an Open Bronc Match.
“A little different than regular rodeo. What it is, is the breeders of the bucking horses all across Alberta, they bring their best to town, and the horses are actually competing against each other and the riders are competing against each other, so it’s kind of two competitions in one and makes for some darn-good watching,” shares Wood.
With both events, Wood notes the Canadian Wild Horse Racing Association will have a go.
“At the bull riding, you’ll also be able to watch some wild horse racing and at the bronc riding, there will also be some wild horse racing,” says Wood.
Among Sunday’s highlights, the Two Rivers Ranch Scramble.
“It’s one of my favourites, just some down-home kind of heritage event but with a little bit more of an exciting twist on it,” teases Wood. “It’s not your boring-old grandpa’s ranch rodeo. You’ve got five guys on a team, they all go at once, there’s four steers in the arena. You’ve got to be probably under two minutes to get into the money and you’ve got about two minutes to load one in a trailer, brand one, doctor one and tie one down.”
Wood says the weekend also includes mutton busting, an outdoor market, kid’s activities, live entertainment, food vendors, and beer gardens.
Admission
Friday – Bulls in the Valley
- Adults: $25
- Seniors: $20
- Children (5–17): $10
Under 5: FREE
Saturday – Open Bronc Match
- Adults: $20
- Seniors: $15
- Children (5–17): $10
Under 5: FREE
Sunday – Ranch Scramble
- Adults: $15
- Seniors: $10
- Children (5–17): $10
Under 5: FREE
Weekend Passes
- Adults: $45
- Seniors: $35
- Children (5–17): $25
Under 5: FREE
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