Staged for the first time on the Labour Day weekend, and accompanied by balmy weather, the fifth annual Stettler Steel Wheel Stampede made its mark.
Respectable crowds attended rodeo action and a variety of other events on the final weekend of the summer.
“We are pleased with how the weekend went this year,” said Tana Nixon, who chairs the stampede organizing committee.
“We haven’t had a chance yet to truly decide if it will or should say on this same weekend, as more discussion and tallying of numbers will determine that.”
Despite a good turnout Saturday for the first of three rodeo shows, the event drew fewer competitors because of the time of year, with other rodeos on tap and cowboys returning to studies, Nixon said.
After a thunderstorm Friday night, crowds flocked to the grounds Saturday afternoon.
“We had record attendance on Saturday night for the rodeo,” Nixon said.
Comparatively, the attendance was down Sunday, while Monday was moderate.
“A tiny bit of rain would have been welcome on Monday morning to allow some of the farmers to take a break from the fields, but we’re still happy with Monday’s attendance anyway,” Nixon said.
“We knew Monday was going to be a bit of a crapshoot. We weren’t sure how that last day of summer before school started (would be).”
Organizers are still monitoring the impact of scheduling a Labour Day rodeo.
“The long weekend was a gamble and we had no idea what to expect,” said Al Campbell who represents the Town of Stettler and was instrumental in reviving the stampede five years ago.
“Saturday was absolutely marvellous with the packed stands.”
Campbell is optimistic about the future of the stampede.
“We have to keep adding more activities and we need a midway,” he said. “We have to get the whole community involved.”
An antique tractor pull proved to be a popular new event, along with mounted shooters and a rib cook-off.
The parade late Friday afternoon drew hundreds along the route through downtown, though the crowd was smaller than in years past.
“The rib cook-off was a success and we thank our contestants for creating the delicious ribs and the huge turnout of voters,” Benjamin said.
“Sears won the best rib and the best overall rib experience, with the best sauce made by Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services.”
The rodeo hooked up with Alberta Prairie Steam Excursions and the annual Stettler Fly-In Breakfast at Stettler Town and County Airport.
“I knew quite a few people, for sure, that went on the steam train’s country dinner run on Sunday afternoon and got back in nice time to follow it up with the rodeo right after,” Nixon said.
“We are aware as well of quite a few people from out of province, and even out of country, that attended the stampede this year.”
The annual fly-in breakfast at Stettler Town and County Airport drew more than 800 people and 85 aircrafts from as far away as Churchill, Man.
“It gives people something to do, have breakfast in the morning and rodeo in the afternoon,” said Cam Andres, president of Stettler Flying Club.
The parade featured almost 50 entries, led by honorary parade marshal Winston Bruce, a local rodeo legend. Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson and Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman also participated.
“We had incredible support from local businesses and these floats are what make the parade so successful,” Benjamin said.
Music was in the air as The Chevelles were “absolutely awesome on Saturday and kept everyone rocking until the wee hours,” Nixon said.
The rodeo champions included local representation. Matt Mailer of Botha won the steer wrestling, Rocky Ross of Botha and Marty Lillico of Stettler were team-roping champions, and Shannon Leguerrier of Donalda was tops in the women’s barrel-racing.
More Stampede photos online in the e-edition and in this week’s issue of the Stettler Independent.