Entertainment
16 July, 2024
rodeo royalty takes reins
IT was smiles all round on Friday night when Jordana Giacometti was crowned 2024 Mareeba Rodeo Queen and Caitlyn Parsons the Princess. The downtown parade kicked off a weekend full of action and fun, with thousands flooding into Kerribee Park for the annual iconic event.
Resounding success for iconic rodeo
GLORIOUS weather, thrilling action, a huge downtown parade and thousands of people flocking through the gates of Kerribee Park over the weekend has made the 2024 Mareeba Rodeo a resounding success.
The annual iconic festival kicked off on Friday night, with massive crowds lining Byrnes Street to watch the downtown parade, which had a record-breaking number of floats and vehicles.
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Jordana Giacometti as the 2024 Rodeo Queen and Caitlyn Parsons as
Princess.
The young women were both shaking with excitement after the announcement.
“What an honour it is to be crowned the 2024 Mareeba Rodeo Festival Queen. It’s been such a privilege to be beside nine other amazing rodeo queen entrants - I can definitely say friendships have been formed,” Jordana told the crowd.
“I’m shaking, I’m elated – I’m very happy and excited and honoured and I’m very proud of the other girls- – they have done such an amazing job,” she told The Express.
“I came back to Mareeba three years ago and this has always been something I wanted to do.”
Caitlyn was thrilled to be chosen as Princess.
“I’m crying and I’m shaking. It’s a little bit surreal. It’s been an amazing experience, I’m really looking forward to the year ahead,” she said.
While Mareeba Rodeo Association president Peter Brown did not have official attendance figures on Monday, he was thrilled with the number of people who flooded through the gates on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday night’s action delivered for the large crowd, with an exciting State of Origin competition leaving spectators on the edge of their seats.
It was a tie, up until the final bull ride, with two champion bulls – Warrior and Slide Out – taking to the arena.
“They were sitting on about 29 all, and you had the New South Wales guy on Slide Out, who was the Great Northern Bullriding Series bull of the year, and then the Queensland guy on Warrior, who was the ABCRA bucking bull of the year,” Mr Brown said.
“Luckily, Slide Out did his job and bucked the NSW rider off and Lane (The QLD rider) had Warrior covered, and won the State of Origin.”
Savannah Bites was also a huge hit on the Saturday night, with award winning country artist Max Jackson taking centre stage.
Her cover of Slim Dusty’s “Mareeba Rodeo” was an absolute hit, doing the iconic song justice.
Melville’s Duck Race saw a “bigger crowd than expected”, with thousands gathering in the arena to cheer on their favourite fluffy duck as they raced across their swimming pool ahead of the big rodeo events.
A big Saturday night didn’t stop hundreds of rodeo-goers from filling the stands on Sunday for the champion final rides.
The discounted tickets allowed families to enjoy the rodeo action at a discounted price and witness Brayden Wellby and Jolene Kallus being named the All-Round Cowboy and Cowgirl.
A new camping layout proved popular, with the organisers having to open up more spots on the overflow to fit everyone.
Mr Brown said all the campers behaved themselves, with only very minor incidents throughout the night.
“It was a very quiet rodeo, with barely any incidents in and out of the arena,” he said.
The Ute Muster show and shine on Friday afternoon also saw some quality vehicles. In the Street Ute category, Jason Lukic secured first place, while Paul Haisel came in 2nd.
Businesses and other organisations again really got behind the Rodeo theme as part of the annual competition, sponsored by The Express.
Best Overall Western Style Dress went to Mareeba Hospital which also won the Best Overall Foyer and Window Display.
Mr Brown thanked everyone who attended and supported the rodeo weekend, and couldn’t wait to see everyone again next year.
“Without the people supporting it, we wouldn’t have arguably the best rodeo in Australia,” he said.
“That’s why we did the discounted family day … and I am grateful people took us up on that offer and came out to enjoy the championship rounds.”
