Rodeo action aplenty

Are you ready for the ride of a lifetime? Guaranteed, the excitement and action of any Warwick rodeo performance will set your blood pumping.
Each performance offers spectators a unique opportunity to watch the toughest cowboys and cowgirls from all over the nation compete in an APRA sanctioned sporting event.
More than 100 years of tradition and cowboy spirit combines to create the most welcoming and hospitable rodeo event in the county.
The Warwick community throws down the welcome mat, not only at the rodeo grounds for all the competitors and spectators, but also downtown Warwick turns it up, with the Rose & Rodeo Festival Friday night Mardi Gras and Saturday’s Warwick Credit Union street parade.
Mardi Gras: Warwick Tourism & Events CEO Tracy Vellacott sees Mardi Gras as a chance to greet visitors and enjoy a night out with family and friends in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.
“One of the things I love about Mardi Gras is that it’s an opportunity to show off our community to visitors, as well as reconnect with our neighbours and community,” Mrs Vellacott said.
“Through adversity like the January floods we’ve shown a willingness to stand up and be counted as members of a strong community and we’ve embraced celebration of our successes and milestones such as Warwick’s 150th birthday,” she said.
“Mardi Gras is an opportunity to wander and appreciate our beautiful CBD, the Horticultural Society’s floral window displays and of course some toe-tappin’ country music.”
As well as a colourful array of rides and food stalls, there will be an entertainment program with something for everyone.
The Bellydance Hipstars and the Killarney School of Dance will perform, along with the Thistle Pipe Band, before the Walmsley Brothers and Blue Rain take to the stage for some hot country tunes.
There will also be a chance to meet rodeo royalty and to back a winner in the Graham Buchner Celebrity Horse Race.
Entertainment starts from 6pm this Friday.
Street parade: This year’s Warwick Credit Union street parade, on this Saturday,  is themed ‘Carnivale’ in line with Warwick’s sesquicentennial birthday party (our 150th year).
Businesses, schools and community groups are urged to put their thinking caps on and get their planning underway to be part of this milestone street parade.
“As well as being a colourful, visual feast of community, the Saturday street parade is a great PR tool to let the community and visitors know about your business, organisation or perhaps an upcoming event,” Mrs Vellacott said.
This year’s theme is open to interpretation but entrants might like to work with the 150th or heritage theme, perhaps a birthday party theme, or even all the colour and fun of a carnivale or circus.
Registration is just $10 and forms are available from Warwick Tourism & Events at the Visitor Information Centre.
Floral window competition: Businesses, schools and community organisations should think about creating a beautiful floral display as part of the Rose & Rodeo Festival.
The Warwick Horticultural Society’s 2011 Floral Competition includes Floral Window, Rose Display, Rodeo Display, School Display, Financial and Professional Institutions, Foyers and Waiting Rooms, Interior Display and Artificial Display categories.
Contact Margot Cory on (07) 4661 1414 for more details.
Leslie Park markets: More than 100 marketeers will converge on beautiful Leslie Park this Saturday for the Rose & Rodeo Festival Markets.
The markets feature an exciting range of arts, craft, collectables, fashion and much more. They are an ideal way to find a unique gift or simply stroll through and enjoy the atmosphere of the festival.
For more details, contact Sue Keong on 0402 460 919.