Isa Rodeo
The Isa Rodeo has grown tremendously since its humble beginnings in 1959.
The first ever Rodeo, the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo, was the result of an ambitious young Rotary Club and their vision to put Mount Isa on the map.
With no ground, no stock and no experience, they established a Rodeo organising committee and began the task of staging the first ever Rodeo in Mount Isa in 1959 with prize money totalling 500 pounds - little did these Rotarians know what they had created.
The 2006 Rodeo was a nostalgic event, marking the final year held at its birth place and home of 48 years, the legendary Kalkadoon Park - named after the Kalkadoons, a warrior tribe Indigenous to the region.
The Rodeo Today
Today, the combined Rotary Clubs of Mount Isa continue to present The Isa Rodeo - the biggest event on the Australian rodeo calendar.
The event attracts the best of local and overseas competitors and promises prestige and prize money in excess of $200,000.
The Isa Rodeo offers nothing short of a two week long program of festivities including a ball, mardi gras, horse race, art and photographic exhibitions, and live entertainment.
During the Rodeo period, accommodation outlets report a 100 per cent occupancy rate.
The 2007 Isa Rodeo was also a year of new beginnings as the event said goodbye to Kalkadoon Park and relocated to the new multi-million dollar Buchanan Park complex.
The new venue is a purpose built facility featuring a new rectangular arena in line with the United States. The state of the art facilities will accommodate more than 5,500 people and includes a two-tier undercover grandstand, shaded grass viewing areas, corporate boxes and a conference room.
Buchanan Park is a world class arena for a world class rodeo.
For more rodeo information or to check out this years event visit the IsaRodeo website.
