Rodeo culture still going strong in Saint-Tite, Que., as festival celebrates 55 years

For 10 days at the tail end of summer, the small town of Saint-Tite, Que., swells as hundreds of thousands of visitors fill their boots with all things country.

Streets are closed, music blares and booths sell everything from churros to cowboy hats and horse tack as part of the Festival Western de Saint-Tite.

"You have to see it to believe it," said Sylvain Bourgeois, the rodeo's manager.

Looking over the stadium in the heart of the town located 65 kilometres north of Trois-Rivières, Que., Bourgeois says the event is steeped in tradition.

Celebrating its 55th edition this year, the festival welcomes athletes and spectators from across the world to what is seen as a marquee event.

"The atmosphere for them is like second to none," said Bourgeois.

"I've travelled around North America, I've been to hundreds of thousands of rodeos over the years. There's some really, really good rodeos, but St-Tite — it is different."

It all started back in 1967, after a Quebec boot company, Boulet Boots, organized a successful promotional rodeo. Bourgeois says the town's merchants wanted more.

"In '68 the first festival was born. Then, 55 years later, we're here," said Bourgeois.

Since that first edition, he says the festival has grown, welcoming up to 600,000 people a year and ushering in new standards and values while still upholding its history.

B.J. Prince from Pontypool, Ont,. says some people underestimate Quebec's connection to western culture.

He first started participating in 1995, competing in saddle bronc riding for 12 years. This year, he's taking part in team roping events and says the festival just gets "better and better every year."

"It's exploded in size," said Prince.

"From Canada, the U.S., Brazil — Australia this