NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
Maple Creek's Jared Parsonage hangs onto the back of a bull during Professional Bull Riding's Thunderbuck in the Badlands on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the then Canalta Centre.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Bull riding fans or anyone looking for a good time are in for a treat Saturday night in Medicine Hat.
PBR Canada is hosting Thunderbuck in the Bad Lands, Saturday night at Co-op Place. PBR Canada GM Jason Davidson says the passionate fans of Medicine Hat and the area are in for a good show.
“We’re bringing the best of the best when it comes to talent, the music, the pyrotechnics … we work very hard to make sure our patrons are entertained from the start of O’Canada ’til we shut the lights off to crown our champion at the end of the night,” he said.
Saturday’s event will be the third this year that PBR Canada has full capacity in attendance for. They were in Grande Prairie last week and Lethbridge in late August.
Davidson says it has been amazing getting fans back in the stands and he is excited for Saturday’s event in the Gas City.
“When we can get that vibe that a PBR fan brings to a building, there’s no other. You can’t beat it,” he said.
Medicine Hat’s Broncs and Honky Tonks Rodeo was cancelled in mid-September due to local COVID numbers. Davidson says Thunderbuck in the Bad Lands will make up the loss for the city.
“Here’s your opportunity now to come and cheer on some of the finest western lifestyle athletes we have in our country, we promise. My management team won’t let me give a money back guarantee but I wish I could, because I would.”
To accommodate full capacity, anyone in attendance over the age of 12 will need to provide proof of vaccination, medical exemption, or a negative test within 72 hours. For $40, any unvaccinated fans can undergo a COVID test performed by Precede OHS at Co-op Place. Mask use will remain mandatory inside the venue for fans.
Given the increased screening prior to venue entry, fans are encouraged to arrive early. Doors open at 5 p.m., the riding gets underway at 7 p.m..
