A rodeo performance during the 2024 Unity Western Day. (photo courtesy/ Facebook - Michelle Kowerchuk/ Unity Western Days 2025)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

SMALL TOWN PRIDE

42nd annual Western Days brings crowd and cowboy spirit back to Unity this weekend

May 30, 2025 | 4:26 PM

It only takes eight seconds to ride a bull, but for Terry Smith, the memories and meaning of Western Days last a lifetime.

“I’ve been on this committee since 1998,” said Smith, president of the Unity Western Days committee. “I worked at the rodeos when I was in Maple Creek [and] I’ve sisters that are married to cowboys.”

When asked what motivates him to keep this piece of rural culture alive, he said, “I enjoy it, I’ve enjoyed it all this time. I’ve done it and I still do so…as long as I’m able to, I’ll be here to help put the rodeo together.”

Smith is one of the many longtime volunteers helping carry on Unity’s most iconic tradition, a weekend-long rodeo and town celebration now in its 42nd year.

“We missed two during COVID, or it would have been 44 years,” he said. “It’s it brings a lot of people to town, there’s likely close to 200 contestants this year, and likely 1500 people coming to watch. ”

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The festivities kicked off Friday with a roast beef supper and the announcement of Unity’s Citizen of the Year at the community centre starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday featured a downtown parade, a Kinsmen-hosted barbecue, and a car show in the Co-op parking lot. That evening, rodeo events got underway, with local trick riders Grease and Grit performing during intermission.

A rodeo performance during the 2024 Unity Western Day. (photo courtesy/ Facebook – Michelle Kowerchuk/ Unity Western Days 2025)

Rodeo stock was supplied by Battle River Rodeo, and the night wrapped up with a community dance featuring Starlight Country.

Sunday’s program included morning slack events, coffee and donuts from the Unity Flying Club, and a full rodeo performance in the afternoon. This year’s Rodeo Queen contestants are Avery Kowerchuk, Ariana Welsch and Madison Manchester.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward helping rebuild the Unity Agro-Plex, which suffered fire damage in January. Last year’s rodeo raised around $14,000 for community groups, including the fire department, hospital, food bank and Legion — and he hopes to meet or beat that total again.

During the 2024 Unity Western Day. (photo courtesy/ Facebook – Michelle Kowerchuk/ Unity Western Days 2025)

Smith, who says bull riding remains his favourite event, puts it simply: “It’s just rough and tough — you’ve got to be a cowboy to be a bull rider.”

He credits the success of Western Day to the dozens of people working quietly behind the scenes.

“This wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for all the volunteers and the sponsors we have in the community,” he said, noting around 50 people are pitching in this year.

For Smith and others in Unity, the eight-second ride is just the beginning. The weekend is about community spirit, western heritage and keeping that small town pride alive.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com