Noonamah Tavern and Rodeo host sold-out event
Thousands attended the first Noonamah Rodeo of the year, with plenty on show for all. See pictures from the night.
Northern Territory
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Cowboys and cowgirls from across the Top End and beyond converged on Noonamah Tavern on Saturday night for the sold-out rodeo.
The crowd packed into the rural area venue for the first event of the 2023 season.
The cool dry season evening drew in spectators in the thousands who were there to witness an array of sporting activities from barrel racing to saddle bronk and even freestyle motorcross.
Noonamah Tavern and Rodeo owner Tony Innes said the night went well with “minimal drama”.
“It was a big crowd,” he said.
“We sold out so we had about 3000.”
He said the crowd was a mix of Territory locals and those from down south as well as a spattering of US marines and German tourists.
The evening concluded with a performance by the Lance Friend Band, which a lot of the guests got around.
“Out of the three 3000-odd crowd, more than half stayed for the band after,” Mr Innes said.
He said there were a few more camping around the grounds than previous years, with the event unable to get any buses for people staying back in town.
“That was probably a combination of a lot of events on at the moment and the bus companies struggling to get drivers,” he said.
The next rodeo will be held on Saturday August 26.
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