PLANS are well in place for a perfect Myrtleford Golden Spurs Rodeo next month.

Myrtleford Lions Club secretary Mick Cross said club members have been putting in the hard work, and are excited to see Australia’s second-longest running rodeo now in its 69th year running to plan for Boxing Day.

“We’ve got all our permits and licenses and everything is ready to rock and roll,” he said.

“We’ve got a few new vendors this year alongside our usual food and drink vendors, including a country goods and apparel vendor, and our big attraction; the $10,000 winner takes all bull ride event.

“The money goes up $2000 every year and the toughest bull hasn’t been ridden for the last five years so it’s been some time since that money has been taken.

“Tom Coser will be running the little tackers event with prizes for the kids being their own official rodeo shirts.

“We’re really excited for the day, it’s our major fundraising event for the year and people have really embraced it.

“When I went to my first rodeo 42 years ago it was pretty rough and tough, and now it’s really showcased as a tourist attraction and family affair with lots of visitors excited to come every year.

“They really enjoy the event, it’s something you might not see in Melbourne and we are very community minded.

“We’ve got even more volunteers this year, and so many local businesses and groups that get involved, it’s great to see.”

The last few jobs are being done over the coming week, with club members down at the recreation reserve refurbishing fencing, installing posts to add shade sails for the livestock and the club is hoping to install the old rodeo sign from the original judges box.

“It was deemed unsafe a few years ago and pulled down so we’re hoping to permanently reinstall it with some lighting,” Mr Cross said.

“The arena itself is in really good order, the rec reserve committee have done a heap of fantastic work down there and there’s been a substantial grant for drainage works which is so helpful.

“The committee is also providing some great facilities with newly refurbished toilet blocks.

“One thing to note is there’s no more free camping on the reserve so campers will have to pay a fee to the committee.

“But we also haven’t increased ticket prices this year, because we know people are doing it tough.

“From here we’ll be mowing and whipper-snipping and finishing some painting on the rails.

“Just smartening the area up and away we go.”

Myrtleford Scouts will be collecting all recycleable cans and bottle this year, to cash those in for their projects, and the Myrtleford Swimming Club will spend the day after, cleaning up the arena.

Happy Gill and Son will be providing the livestock again this year.

“We have some lovely community involvement, it’d what this event is all about,” Mr Cross said.

“The money we raise goes straight back into community, to a plethora of different causes.

“We’re a vibrant and active club, still growing in memberships, and this is a huge event for us.”