Pozzobon to be honored as Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo begins today in Merritt

For 65-years, the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo and Fall Fair have been the unofficial “end of summer” event in the region and this year’s festivities promises to be exciting as well as emotional according to organizers.

The Pro Rodeo and Fall Fair returned to the Nicola Valley begins this evening at 6:30 p.m. as the annual Rodeo Parade gets underway through downtown Merritt.

The parade will begin at the corner of Cleasby St. and Coldwater Ave. then make its way down Coutlee Ave. to Charters St. and returning west along Quilchena. Following the parade, Cooper Country will entertain at the Rodeo Grounds with free admission.

The  first full day of competition begins on Saturday with the doors opening at 8:30 a.m.

As part of this year’s Pro Rodeo and Fall Fair, the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame will be on hand to honour the late Ty Pozzobon with his induction into the Hall of Fame on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

“It’s an honour for Luke, Amy and myself to be presented Ty’s induction into the Hall of Fame,”  wrote Ty’s mom, Leanne Pozzobon on social media this week. “There will definitely be lots of tears on Saturday. We are excited to see everyone on the weekend.”

Ty Pozzobon’s achievement on the rodeo circuit are legendary. By the age of 25, Ty had qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) three times, earned the title of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canadian Champion in 2016, and finished fourth in the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sadly, multiple concussions and head injuries led to overwhelming mental health struggles that ultimately caused Ty to take his own life in January 2017.

In February 2017, a group of Ty’s close friends established the Ty Pozzobon Foundation  to honour Ty’s legacy and  to protect and support the mental health and well-being of rodeo and western sport athletes both inside and outside the arena. To date the Ty Pozzobon Foundation has raised over $250,000.

For a complete schedule of events visit their website at http://www.nicolavalleyrodeo.com.