THIS year’s edition of the Dartmoor Rodeo will be a night of celebration, with the annual event celebrating its 20th anniversary tomorrow.

The annual event is back for a big 2022 edition with the usual events including Open Bullride, Second Division Bullride, Open Bareback, Open Saddle Bronc, Second Division Saddle Bronc, Ladies Barrel Race and Junior Barrel Race.

A crowd of over 2000 people is expected and with the Branxholme Rodeo cancelled for this year, tomorrow’s rodeo will be the last chance for locals to attend close to home.

Many people behind the scenes have worked hard to ensure the event goes ahead smoothly, including committee member Zoe Van kalken-Flack, who said the anniversary would be acknowledged during the night.

“They have been a bit stressed out with COVID, so there was some uncertainty but we have definitely been pushing ahead and we have a bit lined up to acknowledge it,” she said.

Numbers are also looking strong among some of the events on the schedule, setting up an exciting night of entertainment in the arena.

“I know there are a lot for the barrel racing,” Van kalken-Flack said.

“There are nine people for the Open Bullride which is a good number, so numbers are really positive.

“We had also had the Calcutta on Friday.”

Pre-sold tickets have also been steady, but organisers are expecting a lot of walk-up spectators on the night.

“I think they have pre-sold a couple of hundred tickets, but people were just so unsure with COVID,” Van kalken-Flack said.

“It has picked up late in the week and a lot of people have been asking if tickets can be purchased at the gate, so I think it will be a last-minute thing for a lot of people.”

It is not just the arena that will host entertainment with other activities also locked in for tonight.

“We have got a mechanical bull, live music, lolly stores and food vans along with clothing stores and a jumping castle,” Van kalken-Flack said.

“So we have got entertainment for everyone.”