For the local Elks chapter, kicking up dust is a must.
On May 24, the Elks will host their second annual “Bull-A-Rama” fundraiser, bringing world-class bull-riding talent to Slave Lake for an evening of hair-raising, heart-stopping entertaintment.
The Leader sat down to jaw with event organizer, Rick Nowicki, of the local Elks chapter.
He figures the Elks have managed to keep all the excitement of the 2007 Bull-A-Rama, while shaving off unnecessary fat that kept last year’s event in the red.
“We learned a lot last year, and have ironed out a lot of kinks for this event,” said Nowicki. And, the big prize money that was so attractive last year, he says, will likely attract big talent again.
“A lot of riders will have heard about the great show in Slave Lake last year, and will probably try to get here for the event,” he said.
The Elks have partnered up with the World Professional Bullriding group, who will again connect them with world class riders and stock. Back again for another round of whoop-ass are Freaky Friday, Ding-a-ling, Brute Force and more of their bucking brethren.
What makes for good bull riding stock? According to world champion “Razor” Jim Sharp, self-professed king of bulls, the most important characteristic of a bucking bull is “an all around nasty disposition.”
A good bull must perform well; high kicks, sudden and frequent violent turns and a true dislike of having a foreign object on his back make for a good bucking bull, Sharp indicates.
You might not think that an angry, horned, 1,500 pound animal would need any help in the intimidation department, but there are tricks to the trade.
For example, naming the beasts “Hells Bells” or “Shallow Grave” has been known to add whole degrees of fear and loathing to the short proceedings.
Another trick to wringing out as much terror as possible in the brief event involves the tying of a rope around the bulls nether-regions. This has the effect of adding what feels like hours to a cowboy’s eight second gambol with the bull, who is by then wound tighter than a drum.
The men who ride the bulls (and the few women too) are no-nonsense kind of folks.
Cowboys have a long history of working hard in dirty environments, so the bull pen is sort of par for the course; a relaxing way to unwind after a hard day on the ranch.
Yes, make no mistake: Cowboys are tough.
Plus, any sport that legitimizes the wearing of sequined chaps must have some merit, by our way of thinking: It’s almost as if they are saying, “Yeah, these chaps are sequined. You got a problem with that?”
A total of 30 bull riders will compete in the ‘long go round,’ and will be pared down to the top six riders for the ‘short go.’ They will be fighting for over $5000 in prize money and the chance to come out on top of the bruised heap.
The whole mess sounds like fun to us, but in case you feel you need an invitation, spokesman Nowicki says, “come on down, it’s going to be a fantastic show!”
The May 24 event takes place in the back arena of the Arctic Ice Centre, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets for the bull riding event are $20 for adults, $10 for youth age six to 17 and free for cowboys and girls under six.
Following the event, adults can follow the country strains of the Tracy Miller Band at the Elks Hall, for an evening dance and a chance to shuck, jive and limp around the floor with hurtin’ cowboys, fellow Elks and other kinfolk.
Tickets for the adult-only dance are $15.
Tickets for either event can be purchased from Century 21, Cat The Rental Store or any Elks member. Contact Rick at 805-0846 for more information.

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