We're only days away from the Calgary Stampede's fall rodeo, the final stop on the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association's (CPRA) 2009 tour.

This year's edition of the Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship will bring the top CPRA cowboys and cowgirls to Calgary as they compete for their share of the $218,500 purse, the last spots at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton this November and a chance to qualify for the greatest rodeo on earth, at the Stampede in July 2010. It all takes place October 2 to 4 at the Stampede Corral; tickets start at $19.86, plus applicable charges.

"Our commitment to rodeo focuses on sustaining the sport," says Paul Rosenberg, vice-president, programming. "It is an iconic event that is key to who we are and what we do."

This year, back by popular demand, is the Blackstar Saloon. Hall A of BMO Centre will be transformed into a western cabaret with live entertainment starting on Friday afternoon and headlined by Academy of Country Music award winning band Lonestar on Saturday night. The top-notch country lineup also includes Shane Chisholm, Jason Greeley and Karen Lee Batten. The only way to get into the saloon is with a rodeo ticket.

The championship has seven events for the pros (bareback, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping), two for youth (novice bareback and novice saddle bronc) and one for the younger kids (wild pony races).

"We're bringing in the top stock to give the cowboys something to write home about," said Keith Marrington, senior manager of rodeo. "The Stampede Ranch proudly leads the way in breeding the best bucking stock out there."

The Coconut family, as extended as it is, will be out in full force led by five-time world champion bucking sensation, Grated Coconut*. And, Speed Dial, the black brockle-faced bull that calls the Ranch home, continues to make cowboys want to rethink their calling plan and their choice to be a bull rider.

And it wouldn't be a fall rodeo without royalty. Sunday afternoon, rodeo fans will be among the first to meet the 2010 Stampede Queen and Princesses and Indian Princess. Both competitions are running throughout September.