General News
19 May, 2026
Changes afoot for Mareeba rodeo program
MAJOR changes will be made to this year’s Mareeba Rodeo program, with action in the arena to start on Friday night and finish on Saturday night.
Mareeba Rodeo Association president Peter Brown said rising costs and a declining number of volunteers had forced the change.
“Like every other event, rising costs have created the necessity for change to the way we operate,” he said.
“Before we even open the gates, we have to find around a quarter of a million dollars for insurance, rates and paid services.
“At the same time, we have thousands of regular and new patrons of all ages who come each year to see the centre ring action, and we certainly don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
Mr Brown said that, like most community organisations, the annual action-packed spectacular has had a declining number of active volunteers to operate such a large event, essentially over three days.
“The fact is that we need to work smarter and not harder to keep our crowds entertained for our shire’s major annual sporting event,” Mr Brown said.
“That is why, as from this year, our regular annual Mareeba Rodeo program will start in centre ring on Friday in all of the regular classes, culminating in the finals and other major attractions on Saturday and Saturday night,” he said.
Mr Brown pointed out that while the public was also welcome to watch the centre ring rodeo action on the Friday, there were usually around 4000 people camped at Kerribee Park who did not attend the downtown parade and have to wait until Saturday’s events.
“We will have all of our regular services and entertainment operating on Friday and Saturday at our Kerribee Park Rodeo grounds, which will be an added bonus for those campers and stallholders who have been a part of the Mareeba Rodeo for many decades, and the many thousands who don’t want to miss out on any of the non-stop centre ring rodeo activities,” he said.
“We had to adapt to the changes Covid forced upon us some years ago, so we already have had a lot of experience in change and running our program and we have learned much from that,” Mr Brown added.
On the Friday night, the Mareeba Lions Club will operate and manage the downtown parade and sideshow alley carnival and, of course, the crowning of the 2026 Mareeba Rodeo Festival Queen and Princess.
“At the same time, we will operate all of the preliminary heats and other events throughout Friday, and the Queen and Princess crowning will be featured ring side on our giant screen, so no-one misses out on the opportunity to see any of the regular Mareeba Rodeo attractions,” Mr Brown said.
Nominations for the 2026 Mareeba Rodeo events open on 22 June.
A Mareeba Lions spokesperson confirmed that rodeo association representatives had been in close contact with the club and they looked forward to coordinating and operating the parade, Queen and Princess crowning and the annual CBD sideshow alley.
