Even a couple of weeks out it was not certain that this year's Long Weekend Rodeo & Campdraft would go ahead but the 65th anniversary event managed not only to proceed but to reaffirm their position as the premier event of its kind in regional Australia.

Organisers persisted through the cold and wet weather in the week leading up to the weekend and the COVID scare caused by an infectious Victorian couple passing through neighbouring towns, and were rewarded with a huge turnout.

Both competitor and spectator numbers were well up on the last event in 2019.

Day-trippers from around the region and adventurous city-dwellers prepared to camp out boosted gate numbers by 25% on 2019 figures and it was standing room only around the arena on Saturday afternoon and evening.

"It was the biggest rodeo I've seen," said Committee President Paul Wheelhouse. "There were at least 1500 people through the gate on Saturday and the bar doubled our last year's figures."

"I think we're on the right track with our marketing. I met a group of twelve Chinese people from Hurstville and they were loving it. Hopefully with word of mouth next year they'll bring fifty friends."

Nominations to compete in the rodeo events were up from 860 in 2019 to 980 in 2021 and the campdraft competition also saw enormous interest and commitment.

"Traders and food stalls had a huge weekend," said Committee Secretary Steve Butler. "In the end the weather gods looked after us. It was wet underfoot but everyone enjoyed themselves."

According to Mr Butler, the major sponsors who attended were impressed by the event and enjoyed the atmosphere and being part of the action.

"We have many new sponsors who will return for 2022," he said. "They enjoyed our hospitality and the rooftop bar was a winner."

"The Committee were very happy with how successful the event was and without our sponsors our event wouldn’t happen ," Mr Butler said.

A wide variety of events were held on both days, from barrel racing to bucking bulls to bareback horse riding.

To mark the occasion of their 65th event, a ribbon cutting was held around lunchtime on both Saturday and Sunday with long serving committee members John King, Don McKenzie and Roger Hertel doing the honours with the scissors.

On Sunday Life Memberships were bestowed on an unsuspecting trio with Peter (Naka) Kennedy, the Bucknell family and the incumbent President Paul Wheelhouse receiving their awards in the main arena.

"I believe we have the best stock, for all the timed-event, campdraft and rough stock, for our local Coonamble conditions," Mr Wheelhouse said.

"We are very fortunate to have local people like the Bucknells from Quambone Station and the Hertel family who are happy to lend us the stock we need."

Dugald Bucknell says that his family and the stock agents and stockmen who help them get the livestock to the event are very conscious that not only the rodeo and campdraft is reliant on them but the benefits flow to the whole community.

"In the end it's about working together and everyone contributing to make sure these events and our communities are sustainable," Mr Bucknell said. "That's why we like to do it." 

Not only were there campers in every corner of the Showground throughout the weekend, accommodation was booked out across Coonamble township and in neighbouring communities.

Local cafes, clubs, pubs, retail outlets and the courtesy buses were kept very busy, with many working extra long hours and feeling the strain of ongoing staff shortages.

Many reported their busiest and most profitable weekend in many years.

This year's event was filmed for a television mini-series to be aired on Seven Mate and included a 'sky cam' over the main arena to get a birds-eye view of the action.

The Committee thanked Council for their sponsorship for the filming and assistance with preparations for the event.

"The grounds stood up very well," Mr Wheelhouse said. "There's still a lot of things we can improve to make things better for next year."

"A rodeo is not everyone's cup of tea but it's our cup of tea, and the crowds always seem to keep coming to Coonamble."