WINNER OF THE 2004 OUTBACK QUEENSLAND TOURISM AWARDS
SIGNIFICANT EVENT CATEGORY
The Rotary Rodeo is presented by the combined Rotary Clubs of Mount Isa, the Mount Isa Club, Mount Isa West and Mount Isa South.
Deemed the Biggest & Best Rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere, the week's events include spectacular Rodeo Action, the Bell & Moir Goodyear Ute Muster, the Mailman Express, the Best Dressed Premises competition, Bullpit Rides, Live Music, Sideshow Alley & Entertainment and the Mardi Gras held on Friday Night.
To enter a float in the Mardi Gras, organisations must register with Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc. There is great prizemoney up for grabs & entry is free. Mount Isa Rodeo Background
Steeped in over 40 years of history, the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo (as it was first known) was born out of a desire by a young service club to "think big".
The first Rotary Club in Mount Isa had been in operation for some months and had successfully completed a number of small community service projects. However the Community Service Director felt the club needed to tackle a big project, one which would put Mount Isa on the map. And so the idea of staging a rodeo was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted, despite the fact that none of the club members had ever been involved in organising one before. Only a couple of members had even seen a rodeo!
With no ground, no stock and no experience, a Rodeo organising committee was formed and set about the task of staging the first ever Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo in 1959.
Since its inception, the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo has donated in excess of $2.5 million to charitable, community, cultural, sporting and service organisations.
As accommodation outlets report a 100 per cent occupancy rate during the rodeo period, additional temporary camping facilities are created within the city, simply to cater for the Rodeo overflow.
The directors of the Rodeo are elected from members of the three Rotary Clubs in Mount Isa. These directors are responsible for the deployment of hundreds of volunteer workers who play a vital part in the planning and staging of the Rodeo.
The 2007 Isa Rodeo has a new venue - Buchanan Park, located in the heart of Mount Isa on the corner of George and Sutton Streets. Buchanan Park is a brand new multi-million dollar events complex with an arena specifically designed to stage a world class rodeo event. The arena will be able to seat approximately 5,500 people in the covered stadium style seating and two grassed berms. Other facilities include food outlets, drink bars, media centre, tourist information booth, emergency services block and plenty of amenities. The undercover Rodeo Walk links the arena to the Xstrata Entertainment Centre featuring live entertainment and exhibition.
Previously, the venue for the Isa Rodeo was Kalkadoon Park, located 8km from the heart of Mount Isa City on the Barkly Highway.
In the week leading up to the Rodeo, business houses and retail outlets get firmly behind the spirit of the event, with most participating in the annual "Best Dressed Premises" competition, run by the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce. The object is to have premises and staff dressed in appropriate theme decoration and costume for Rodeo Week.
And the enthusiasm doesn't stop there. The Rodeo Mardi Gras, traditionally held on the Friday night of Rodeo, involves all sections of the community. Staged through the streets of Mount Isa, the procession of Mardi Gras floats is one of the highlights of the weekend.
From 4pm on Friday until the wee hours of Saturday morning, Mount Isa becomes a giant fairground, with wall-to-wall people enjoying entertainment, dancing, carnival rides and food.
It has long been recognised that the community involvement behind the Rodeo is what makes it such a unique festival.
The Isa Rodeo Festival is held each year for approximately two weeks and culminates with the Isa Rodeo. The full program of events is listed below. 2007 Program of Events
Saturday 4 August - Mayoress' Ball & Crowning of the Rodeo Queen
Monday 6 August - Judging of Best Dressed Premises
Tuesday 7 August - Judging of Best Dressed Premises
Wednesday 8 August - Zonta Poets Breakfast
Wednesday 8 August - The Bull Pit - "Man Against Beast"
Wednesday 8 August - LIVE Local Entertainment
Thursday 9 August - Presentation of Best Dressed Premises
Thursday 9 August - Mailman Express
Thursday 9 August - Combined Rotary Clubs Meeting
Friday 10 August - Rodeo & Time Events
Friday 10 August - Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Mardi Gras
Friday 10 August - The Bull Pit - "Man Against Beast"
Friday 10 August - Fireworks
Friday 10 August - LIVE Shandell Tosoni & Crakajak
Saturday 11 August - Rodeo Events
Saturday 11 August - Bell & Moir Goodyear Isa Rodeo Ute Muster
Saturday 11 August - LIVE Crakajak & The Bostocks
Sunday 12 August - Buffs Recovery Breakfast (Hot & Cold Buffet)
Sunday 12 August - Rodeo Events
Sunday 12 August - Cowboys & Cowgirls Night
Sunday 12 August - LIVE The Bostocks | 
