Norfolk Pro Rodeo returns July 17-19
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
It’s more than just a rodeo, it’s a weekend celebration of agriculture and western lifestyle
Are you ready for a high-energy, action-packed weekend?
The annual Norfolk Pro Rodeo returns July 17–19 at Timmermans Ranch, west of Simcoe on Nixon Road.
This year’s rodeo features three full professional rodeo performances – Friday evening (gates open at 5 p.m.), Saturday afternoon (gates open at 1 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (gates open at 11 a.m.) – with live country concerts and a wide range of family-friendly attractions.
“Last year was the first year we added the Friday night rodeo,” said Krista Timmermans. “We did it because we’ve been selling out the Saturdays, the last few years now. We have a limited capacity, so we wanted to add another show so more people could enjoy it – and make a whole weekend of it if they wanted to.”
George Canyon, a headliner from the 2011 & 2018 Norfolk County Fairs, will be on stage Friday night (9-10:30 p.m.) following the 7 p.m. rodeo, which Timmermans says has accelerated Friday ticket sales. A two-time Juno Award winner with multiple CCMA awards, Canyon has had 29 singles on Billboard country charts in Canada (more than half in the Top 10).
Canadian legend Aaron Pritchett, also well-known to Norfolk Fair ‘Party on the Track’ fans, headlines Saturday’s entertainment following the 4 p.m. rodeo.
It’s much more than just a rodeo, say organizers, “it’s a celebration of agriculture, community, and the western way of life.”
Sanctioned by the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPRA), the Norfolk Pro Rodeo will showcase top professional athletes and stock, delivering heart-pounding competition in every event.
Fans can expect classic rodeo action including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and breakaway roping.
“It’s a full professional rodeo. It’s a stop on the tour and the athletes can gain points every weekend,” said Timmermans. “If they get enough points, they can go to the finals in January.”
The full IPRA Rodeo schedule, with rodeos across North America, from New York to Texas to California to Quebec, can be found at www.ipra-rodeo.com/schedule.
The Norfolk weekend includes three rodeo performances: Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 18 at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, July 19 at 2 p.m.
“Sunday is a family-focused day, there’s tons of kids stuff all day and there is discounted family packs Sunday.”
Beyond the rodeo arena, the Norfolk Pro Rodeo offers a full weekend experience for all ages.
Attendees can enjoy:
- Live country concerts featuring George Canyon (Friday) and Aaron Pritchett (Saturday) and local stage entertainment through the day Saturday and Sunday. For a full list, see norfolkrodeo.com/music/
- A wide variety of food trucks and vendors.
- A kids zone with inflatables, games, and activities.
- Farm animals and agricultural displays celebrating the roots of the community.
- Local vendors showcasing western lifestyle goods and products.
“The layout, and schedule, is very similar to last year,” said Timmermans. “We also try to add some new surprises every year to change it up – this year we have a video wall, right beside the bull chute, for some more crowd interaction.”
Established in 2016, the Norfolk Pro Rodeo has grown into one of the region’s premier summer events, bringing together visitors from across Ontario and beyond for an unforgettable weekend of entertainment.
IF YOU GO
Dates: July 17–19, 2026
Location: Timmermans Ranch, 2454 Nixon Rd, Simcoe
Tickets: Available online at NorfolkRodeo.com
For more information, visit NorfolkRodeo.com or follow along on social media for updates.
General parking is located on the other side of Nixon Road, and there is limited accessible parking on site.
Norfolk 4-H and local youth sports will be staffing the parking lot.
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