It's on! And this year marks an extra special anniversary occasion.
The largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere is celebrating 60 years as a great icon of the Australian Outback.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
From humble beginnings in 1959, the 2019 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo kicks off today, celebrating a grand six decade milestone and will run from August 8 - 11.
The rodeo won gold for best festival and event at the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards and while competition in the spectacular red dirt Buchanan Park arena is world class, there will be plenty to do during 'rodeo week'.
Isa Rodeo chief executive Natalie Flecker said it was exciting to see the rodeo grow from strength to strength, with the 2018 event attracting the biggest number of competitors at 750 and and almost 40,000 visitors.
The Bell & Moir Isa Rodeo Ball kicked off rodeo week celebrations last Saturday night, culminating in the crowning of the Isa Rodeo Queen Aimee Sewell.
The free Isa Street Festival followed on Wednesday night with a street parade, plenty of market and food stalls in the city centre, and a huge free concert presented by the Mount Isa City Council.
Today is the start of rodeo competition in the morning, followed by the Mailman Express horse races. Friday welcomes the first full day of rodeo competition and the spectacular opening ceremony in the evening, including the introduction of the cowboys.
The weekend focus is on rodeo competition, also relayed live on the 'Big Screen', as well as live night concerts in the lead up to the Sunday rodeo finals and John Farnham concert finale live inside the arena.
CLICK to find out more.
