Mount Isa Rodeo and Mardi Gras

Mount Isa Rodeo and Mardi Gras

AugustFor three days in August, Mount Isa, a city in the outback of Queensland, hosts Australia's largest rodeo in grand style. Begun in 1959 by three of the city's Rotary Clubs, the rodeo has contributed more than $2.5 million to worthy organizations over the years, and the event has involved the entire community. Among the offerings are the Rodeo Mardi Gras, with a Friday night parade of floats through the central business district; an annual "Best Dressed Premises" contest during the week leading up to the rodeo, in which businesses decorate their premises in a rodeo theme and encourage their staffs to wear rodeo-style costumes; and a fairground on blocked-off city streets in central Mount Isa, with carnival rides, entertainment, and food from Friday afternoon until early Saturday morning.
As for the main event, the rodeo attracts competitors from all over the world, with more than $200,000 in prize money available. Individual events include bull riding, saddle and bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and rope and tie.
CONTACTS:
Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc.
Buchanan Park Events Complex, Cnr George & Sutton St.
P.O. Box 353
Mount Isa, QLD 4825 Australia
61-7-4743-2706; fax: 61-7-4743-8435
www.isarodeo.com.au
SOURCES:
WildPlanet-1995, p. 425