Rodeo grounds and pens, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, driving range, fishing ponds, Frisbee golf, RV camping, and the Jones Pavilion are within the bounds of this well-used park. Capacity: 2,000+.
Calf Fry Cook-Off: Drawing crowds of 1,500, this IBCA Sanctioned BBQ Competition draws over 40 teams from three states. Sample tasting is a must! This come-and-go event in September draws all ages and features craft vendors and activities for the children. After prize money is awarded in the afternoon the pavilion is readied for the Beach party and Dance. 2017 marks the 9th Annual cook-off. Proceeds reaching $8,000 benefit nonprofits in Canadian each year. Capacity: 2,000+. https://www.facebook.com/canadianriverbeachclub
Canadian River Music Festival: May 2017 marks the 8th annual CRMF. Eight bands will play for crowds during this all-day music festival. Food and merchandise vendors do a brisk business with crowds of over 2,000 annually. www.canadianrivermusicfestival.com
Rodeos: The Canadian Rodeo Association, a nonprofit board, maintains the grounds and hosts a TCRA sanctioned rodeo on July 4th and a Ranch Rodeo during the Fall Foliage Festival. Men’s events include bareback riding, ranch bronc riding, steer wrestling, saddle broncs, and tie down calf roping. Ladies compete in breakaway roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and ranch bronc riding. Events for those 12 and under include junior barrel racing, mutton bustin’, and kid’s calf scramble. They bring annual crowds of over 4,000 to town. Capacity: stadium seating for 1,200 + standing. The shady, well-equipped facility and RV park have become a hospitable haven on Hwy 60/83 for people traveling the circuits.
Junior Rodeo Cowboy Association began in 1988. The April through July schedule now pays out $150,000 at their final rodeo. The three day event in Canadian is held in July. Last year the 200, 3 to 19 year-old contestants shared prize money and two $2,000 scholarships.
Double G Rodeo is held in memory of cowboy Greg Greenhouse. The June rodeo draws over 100 contestants who vie for $1,200 in prize monies and scholarships. Ages 8-18 compete.
Tri-State Junior Rodeo has been active since the 1970’s. Over 200 contestants, grades 6 through 12, compete in this fall rodeo that fills the stands for the three-day event. Cash and scholarships are awarded. Canadian Barrel Racing is a grass-roots organization providing safe and fun barrel races for anyone who wishes to join. Beginning in March as many as 40 enthusiasts from 6 to 60 gather every couple of weeks until September. BBR Approved.
4th of July Celebration: The recreation complex is the site of the Watermelon Feast, free melons provided by the local Lowes. Rotarians sell tickets for weeks to the infamous Duck Race with prize money going to the first three yellow rubber ducks to reach shore. There is plenty of parking for annual 4th of July spectacular fireworks display sponsored by the City of Canadian and detonated by members of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Department.
Osborne Field: This three diamond facility hosts baseball and softball for players aged 5-18 as well as adults. From April through June over 100 players take to the field for games twice a week. Once a month, May through October, adults gather, eight to ten teams of ten, to compete in a slow pitch tournaments. The All Night Halloween Classic is a favorite as well as the Cancer Classic. The adjoining soccer field fills with enthusiasts of all ages every weekend. Players field a team that competes in the Iberoamerican amateur soccer league. https://www.facebook.com/Canadian-River-Baseball-Softball-Association
Dances & Events- Jones Pavilion The 4th of July Celebration brings music to town as well as cowboys. Two to three dances are held each year with an average attendance of 400-500 per event. The Canadian Rodeo Association also sponsors a Rodeo Dance during the Fall Foliage Festival in October.
Public and private events make use of this facility though out the year. Last year the Hemphill County Fire Department held a 100th Anniversary Celebration. Every spring the National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet and the Beef Conference use this spacious building. The Chamber hosts its Block Party and Canadians Got Talent Show, Hemphill County Hospital has a Healthfest, and the Chamber sponsors a citywide Flea market in the pavilion annually. www.canadiantx.org