The Best of the West Cheer and Dance Championship is returning for its third year at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Friday and Saturday. 

The competition will feature over 1,600 athletes from across Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. 

Event director Alissa Stewart said they are excited to be returning to Moose Jaw. 

“The community itself gets behind the competition,” Stewart said. “We like hosting it in a rink or an arena atmosphere because of all of the seating. Everyone can see from anywhere that they’re watching.” 

The event is split into four sessions over two days and will include a variety of age groups from three years old to adults. 

The competition will include a number of styles including traditional cheerleading, pom, hip hop and jazz teams. 

There will be an extra incentive for nine teams as they will be competing for a bid at the Cheerleading Worlds. 

“We’re got nine teams coming that are competing to win a bid at the Cheerleading World Championships which are held in April, and the Best of the West gives out one partial bid,” Stewart said. 

Best of the West will also offer three at-large bids for the upcoming Cheerleading Worlds April 26-29, in Orlando, Florida.    

It will get underway on Friday at 7:30 a.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. You can find the full schedule here. 

Tickets to take in the event can be purchased at www.sasktix.ca.