PACK your bags and step out of the capital city for an unforgettable adventure! The much-anticipated Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo is returning to the Rupununi Savannah from April 18th to April 20th, 2025, in Region Nine, under the electrifying theme: “Legendary Stories, Legendary Rides.”
Kyle Joseph, Chairman of the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA), during an interview with the Buzz shared that this year’s theme is a tribute to the legends of the Rupununi—those who have shaped the cowboy and rodeo cultures that define the region.
This year, the rodeo holds even more significance as it honours the contributions of these living legends and remembers those we’ve lost over the past year.
The RLPA, the powerhouse behind the rodeo’s organisation, has been working tirelessly to bring this event to life, and you won’t want to miss it! If you’ve never visited Region Nine or experienced the rodeo, this is the perfect opportunity to pack up your friends or family and immerse yourself in the culture, thrill, and adventure that only the Rupununi can offer.

Held annually during the already action-packed Easter weekend, the Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo is the ultimate celebration of cowboy culture.
Expect heart-pumping events like bull riding, barrel racing, and bronco riding, alongside incredible Indigenous performances, mouthwatering traditional (and not-so-traditional) foods, and locally crafted goods.
This year, there will be even more excitement with motorcycle racing, dune buggy racing, and exclusive VIP experiences, offering a fresh twist to the legendary rodeo fun.

But it doesn’t all come together overnight. Joseph explained that preparations for the rodeo start months in advance, often as early as September.
“The main part of the organising happens at the Rodeo Committee. So a subcommittee that’s made up of smaller committees that is in charge of the decor, entertainment, livestock, generally putting the event together and all the different aspects related to that. It starts by us looking for sponsorship because the rodeo is still something that needs a lot of sponsorship from private, from ministry, various ministries and departments,” he said.

The committee also works hard to secure sponsorships—essential for the rodeo’s success—from private companies, ministries, and various departments.
As the largest event in the Rupununi, Rodeo has become a key fixture on Guyana’s national calendar, attracting not just locals, but visitors from around the world.
The economic boost is undeniable, with tour companies, local Airbnbs, guesthouses, hotels, and transportation services all getting in on the action, providing an immersive experience that extends beyond the rodeo grounds.

“So kind of everybody gets a chance to be part of rodeo because rodeo is more than just what happens on the rodeo ground itself. Rodeo is what happens within Lethem. Rodeo is what happens within central Rupununi, and people even come so far as to spend a week, perhaps two weeks before and after rodeo,” Joseph related.

Joseph emphasised that, in the coming years, the RLPA will continue to pursue sponsors and partnerships to make the rodeo even bigger and better, bringing global attention to Lethem as the true Home of the Rodeo.
And the excitement doesn’t stop there, “I want to invite everybody to the Rupununi to experience the wild side, to experience the wild rides, and to create your own stories here at the Rupununi Rodeo.”

The Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo has been a tradition for over 60 years, originally an annual gathering for ranchers to round up their cattle. Over time, it’s evolved into the beloved national festival it is today showcasing the rich culture and spirit of the Rupununi.
So, saddle up, make plans, and get ready for an adrenaline-packed weekend that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.