After a record-breaking event in 2022, which saw entries top out at 956, a highest ever purse of $300,000 and the staging of the first ever Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships, the legendary Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is becoming a FESTIVAL over nine days in the famous red dirt of the Australian Outback!
It’s about time given the event is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo and the third largest rodeo in the world! The news will truly make it the greatest show on dirt!
The Mount Isa Rodeo Festival will take place from Saturday August 5 through to Sunday August 13, and will include celebrations marking 100 Years of Mount Isa. Tickets on sale tomorrow, Monday 9am!
VNR: Road to Rodeo Mount Isa VNR on Vimeo
Natalie Flecker, CEO of Isa Rodeo Limited
Kylie Rixon, owner of the Sunset Caravan Park Mount Isa
Aaron Ryan, former competitor and rodeo announcer (“everyone aspires to be a Mount Isa Champion – Slim Dusty wrote songs about it!”).
Sizzle Vision for 2023
Fantastic overlay vision
PHOTOS:
Liana Woodsbey (17) from Mount Isa, with Tyler Morton (13) and Jacy Morton (14) from Longreach at Mount Isa celebrating the FESTIVAL news. The three girls all have their eyes set on competing at this year’s Mount Isa Mines Festival in August, after competing today in Road to Rodeo.
Natalie Flecker, CEO of Isa Rodeo Limited said it was fitting the first Mount Isa Rodeo Festival be staged in 2023. “This year Mount Isa marks its 100th anniversary, and for 64 of those years, the rodeo has been a highlight; a major event that brings together the city, the region and more recently, the country,” she said.
“Announcing the Mount Isa Rodeo Festival is exciting, because it features not only what happens in the famous Red Dirt Arena, but all the other events through the week on offer to locals and visitors including the Bell and Moir Toyota Rodeo Arena Ball which raises important funds for local charities, the Hall of Fame program, the Indigenous Rodeo Championships and our incredible entertainment line-up.”
“Famed as one of the most electrifying events in the country, the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is on the bucket list of many, has won numerous awards and generated millions of dollars in economic benefit to Mount Isa, Outback Queensland and Queensland, and now there’s even more reasons to come and more reasons to stay!”
This year will see the return of rodeo champions to win back-to-back buckles, as well as even more incredible juniors showing their skills in the arena.
Maryann Wipaki, General Manager HSEC, Glencore Zinc Assets Australia said as a founding partner of the iconic Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, Mount Isa Mines was proud to be a part of the event. “Mount Isa Mines and the Isa Rodeo together have formed a legendary partnership. We’ve been a sponsor since the first rodeo in 1959. We have always supported initiatives that promote our community and are very excited to see the Mount Isa Rodeo Festival come to life in 2023,” she said.
THE MUSIC!! In major entertainment news, the line-up for 2023 is going to blow your buckle off! Jessica Mauboy headlines the stage at the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo championships on Thursday evening, then on Saturday night at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo concert it’s Aussie rock royalty The Angels (this legendary band has a long history with Mount Isa) and on Friday night, it’s The Screaming Jets and O’SHEA.
The Angels will be supported by rodeo favourite Luke Geiger, and on Friday night The Screaming Jets and O’SHEA are supported by Furnace and the Fundamentals. And don’t forget Darryl Braithwaite stars in the Mount Isa Street Festival on Wednesday August 8.
Mount Isa Rodeo Festival highlights include:
Saturday 5th August: Bell and Moir Toyota Rodeo Arena Ball
THE MOST glamorous country hoedown, held on the famous red dirt of the open-air rodeo arena, raising funds for Mount Isa-based charities. Prepare your rhinestones and sequins and get ready to boot scoot ‘til late!
Sunday 6th August: Special screening of The Angels – Kickin’ Down the Door movie in the Rodeo Arena
Before the legendary band takes to the stage on Saturday night, this special screening of The Angels – Kickin’ Down the Door will be held in the forecourt of Buchanan Park Arena. There will be popcorn and a bar; bring chairs and picnic blankets and make it a Sunday night date night!
Tuesday 8th August: Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame BBQ Dinner
Celebrating the pioneers and champions of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo with four new inductees announced.
Wednesday 9th August: Mount Isa Street Festival featuring Darryl Braithwaite
A street parade for the ages in Mount Isa, headlined by the man himself, Darryl Braithwaite, who will pay tribute to the horses of the rodeo with his most famous song.
Thursday 10th August: Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships featuring Jessica Mauboy
The second year of the Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Championships will see more records set, and indigenous riders celebrated, before Jessica Mauboy takes to the stage, with DJ Deadly Jacob hosting.
Features a Welcome to Country and cultural performance by the Sundowners Kalkutungu Dancers and the spectacular Komet Torres Strait Islander Arts and Culture Dance Group.
Don’t miss Dancing Dexter in the Red Dirt Arena, the crowd-pleasing Bull Fighter from last year’s Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships!
Friday 11th to 13th August: Mount Isa Mines Rodeo
Returning champions and contenders go ride for ride in the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo and the third largest rodeo in the world.
Entertainment includes The Angels, The Screaming Jets, O’SHEA and Furnace and the Fundamentals, Luke Geiger
Celebrate 100 Years of Mount Isa City at a special ‘birthday party’ as part of the Opening Ceremony on Friday 10th August (yes, there’s a birthday cake!)
The Shank Brothers return with their infamous Hot Chilli Wing Challenge – register for one of their HEATS!
NEW – Bell and Moir Toyota Kalkadoon Bar & Grill for lunch and dinner – a new dining offering which includes a two course menu prepared by Chef Jason Peppler, beer and wine and outstanding views of the rodeo arena hosted by Channel Seven’s Kimberley Busteed and a bunch of good friends. Bookings essential.
An incredible 5m high inflatable boot as part of our Kids Zone – perfect for rodeo selfies!
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