Cloverdale gets rodeo ready
Published 11:00 pm Thursday, May 7, 2026
Crews are putting the finishing touches on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
The 78th Cloverdale Rodeo and the 135th Country Fair is less than a week away and “everything’s coming together,” said Rick Hugh, 1st vice-president of the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association.
He said the Stetson Bowl has been gussied up and minor repairs done to mitigate some wear and tear from both the elements and people.
“It’s looking good,” Hugh told the Cloverdale Reporter. “Bit-A-Bling (the grand entry team) just finished their last practice last night and everything seems good to go.”
He added the Wild Mustang Lounge will be set up next to the alley again in the Stetson Bowl. Entry to the special VIP viewing area requires a separate rodeo ticket. He said the sight lines from the lounge will be “incredible” and viewers in those seats will be on top of the action.
Hugh also said he’s also happy the Agriplex got a new coat of paint. A few weeks ago, the Agriplex, known lovingly around North America as “the big red barn” was repainted and has now been transformed from a faded and worn-out red to a deep, rich barn red.
“We’re just pleased they kept the big red barn the big red barn and not the eggshell barn or something else,” Hugh said. “There was initially some talk of, ‘What colour? What colour? What colour?’ And we said, ‘You know, that building has a reputation of being called the big red barn by a lot of international competitors.’ So, we’re happy its been painted and happy that it’s kept its famous colour.”
For info on the 2026 Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, or to snap up some tickets, visit cloverdalerodeo.com.