THE Myrtleford Golden Spurs Rodeo is going ahead this Boxing Day after fears the arena would be too damp for a safe rodeo.
Rodeo secretary Darren Murphy said a stock contractor has inspected the arena and determined the ground will be dry enough for animals and riders, despite some wet weather over last weekend.
"It's still very damp underneath the grandstand and the rodeo box, which are no longer used, but we think the arena will recover enough for us to run the event," he said.
Mr Murphy said the arena will need to be graded and laser–levelled to ensure a completely flat surface, especially since it has not been used for a rodeo since 2019, and then rotary–hoed around a week before the event.
"It has to be perfectly flat and has to be managed very well during the day," he said.
"The arena is the basic building block for the rodeo, we have to do a bit of work in the next couple of weeks to get ready."
Mr Murphy said the animals will be emerging from the soundshell side of the arena, rather than from under the rodeo box, like previous years.
The rodeo is run by the Lions Club of Myrtleford, who will use the proceeds for charitable Lions programs and to help local communities affected by recent floods.
Mr Murphy said all ticket prices have increased by $5 due to increases in costs of fuel and commodities.
"We hope those attending understand and appreciate it continues to be a not–for–profit event with all proceeds put back into the community," he said.
Mr Murphy said local businesses will be providing food for the event, with the local Myrtleford Football and Netball Club running a barbecue at the Apex Rotary shed.
According to Mr Murphy, this year stock contractor John 'Happy' Gill will bring his Australian Champion bull 'High Flying Akubra' and other up and coming bulls for cowboys to test their mettle against.
He also said there will be two 'big screens', one showing instant replays for spectators to enjoy and another showing historic images from past rodeos.
The 'Little Tackers Chute Out' will also take place during the dinner break, featuring an inflatable bronco and bull.
The Myrtleford rodeo is one of the oldest in Australia, having started in 1954.
In 2019 it was recognised by the Australian Professional Rodeo Association with a Hall of Fame award.