Meaford’s Fairgrounds host a variety of events through the year, including the Meaford and St. Vincent Agricultural Fall Fair, a true old-fashioned country fair with plough-horses, wagons and livestock on display. But, beginning last summer, the Fairgrounds welcomed a new, and somewhat rowdier, display – the Meaford RAM Rodeo. One of the stops on Ontario’s RAM Rodeo Tour, this Southern Georgian Bay event features all the wild, western action you’ve been hankering for, including foot stomping entertainment at the beer garden tonight. (Fred Eaglesmith is also playing in town at McGuinty’s pub tonight, so a request for his “Rodeo Boy” might be in order.)

Action at the Meaford RAM Rodeo

You’ll find bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, ladies break-a-way roping, tie down roping, barrel racing, junior barrel racing, team roping, junior bull riding, and bull riding – featuring stars of the rodeo circuit, of both the two-legged and the four-legged variety. Get Jiggy, one of the more famous bulls on the circuit, is coming out of retirement to visit Meaford, where top rider Bill Thorn will face a tough challenge staying on.

To get you in the mood, let’s test your cowboy comprehension.

What are prairie strawberries?

a) Cuts from a close encounter with a cactus.
b) Baked beans.
c) Dried fruit carried by cowboys on a roundup.

He’s a pick-up man if
a) he drives a Dodge Ram or other truck.
b) he has a way with the cowgirls.
c) he helps the bronc rider get off his mount safely after 8 seconds.

A slick is
a) An unbranded animal
b) An Easterner
c) A near miss from a charging bull

A dogie
a) A range dog.
b) A calf with no mother.
c) A calf destined to become veal.

Answers tomorrow.