Cochrane Lions Rodeo is celebrating a major milestone this year.

The rodeo is Cochrane's longest running event, attracting people from all over the world.

Kevin Firkus, Cochrane Lions Rodeo Chair, says action kicks off Friday at 5 pm with the free Ranch rodeo, followed by three days of thrills and spills at the amateur rodeo hosted by the Cochrane Lions.

Firkus shares they have a lot planned for their golden anniversary.

"We move into Saturday with a free pancake breakfast with gate admission at 10 in the morning. There's an open market at 10 o' clock and the kids games start at noon. We move on to the rodeo and we have some great cowboys and locals competing on the first day."

A new addition will be fighter jets opening the rodeo up on Saturday doing a fly pass.

There will be a dance Saturday night and a low level fireworks show hosted by Southbow Landing on the rodeo grounds Sunday evening.

On holiday Monday, the Lions will be parade marshals for the Labour Day Parade and will crown this year's royalty at the rodeo grounds.

Firkus adds on both Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 they will be having a mounted shooters competition at the Ag Society.

"They are bringing the top five in each division and at 12:30 they are shooting balloons off of horseback."

Being one of the highest paying rodeos in Alberta, and the second last in the FCA circuit, a lot of top cowboys will be out to compete.

When it comes to wagering your money, Firkus says, he always put his money on our local cowboys.

"Ty Copithorne in calf roping, he's been roping really well lately. And Keith Dougan on Monday, he's in bull riding, Keith's been riding good lately. He did well in Crossfield and Didsbury this last few weeks. My money is on these two right now."

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online here.