DOWN YOU GO: Darryl Prior shows good form as he grabs his animal in the steer wrestling event.

Storm put a dampener on great day

Written by HELEN EDWARDS.

IT may have drizzled, there may have been some light rain - but not in all its 33 years has rain stopped the Merrijig Rodeo - until 2010.

Despite the weather being wet for most of Friday, the sun was shining Saturday morning and once again the crowds came.

Numbers have not yet been confirmed, but it’s estimated that 1500 attended - similar to last year.

There was a record number of competitors, some from as far as South Australia.

The events started and of the 17 local steer ride competitors, only six made it past one minute.

Rodeo secretary Helen Edwards was unable to see the arena from the committee caravan, but knew when the locals were on by the enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

The arena looks directly west - towards Mansfield - and the band of clouds travelling from north to south could be seen - but it seemed it was going to miss the area completely.

The clouds were getting darker and then around 8pm the wind picked up and then the rain bucketed down.

The actual storm hit hard and fast and all of a sudden people were running for shelter or their cars.

The wind was fierce and the souvenir stall lost most of the T shirts on display.

Some of the families decided to sit it out in their cars or to head home - some moved on to the Merrijig pub.

Rodeo treasurer Shelly Poole gave a new pitch on "laundering money" - the notes were so wet and sticking together, they had to be dried before counting could commence.