In 1967, the leather-manufacturing company of G.A. Boulet Inc. that focused on producing western boots organized a rodeo day as a publicity strategy to promote the leather industry. The event took place at the local baseball stadium and attracted over 5,000 visitors regardless of the fact that it was raining insistently the whole day.
The next year, several local merchants got together with G.A. Boulet Inc. to expand the event, and the Festival Western de Saint-Tite began to grow. Its immense success has led to the remodeling of some of Saint-Tite's infrastructures to resemble a typical western frontier town of the late 19th or early 20th centuries. This part of the town was named Country Club Desjardins. During the festival, several marquees are erected around the town to host events and activities.
The Festival Western de Saint-Tites is the largest Western-themed event in Eastern Canada, as well as one of the best outdoor rodeos in North America. It features a variety of events and activities, including the rodeo itself and other competitions, parades, demonstrations, exhibitions, shows, and more. Horsemen and women come from all over Canada to participate in various events and compete in a number of disciplines, amazing the spectators with their skill.
The central event of the Festival Western de Saint-Tites is the rodeo. It includes a number of speed events and skill tests, including saddle bronc, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, rescue race, exchange rider race, and poney express. The rodeo aims to re-create an authentic Country Western atmosphere.
Alongside the rodeo, the festival program includes a symbolic western parade, themed weddings, concerts, fairs, and more. According to the organizers, they don’t just put on a good show, they create a magical Western world for everyone to enjoy. No wonder that the small town of Saint-Tite with a population of about 4,000 attracts several hundreds thousands visitors each fall.
Photo: BIRTZ Photographie
