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Stettler and District Ag Society has busy few months ahead

The Stettler and District Agricultural Society is gearing up for a busy few months
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Youth from around the region have been taking part in the Stettler Ag. Society’s Junior Rodeo series through the summer. (Stettler Independent file photo)

The Stettler and District Agricultural Society is gearing up for a busy few months. 

May sees the return of the Homestead Market, which features a variety of "homemade wares" and "chicks, ducklings, and everything homesteading."

The return of the Homestead Market also means it is the return of Farmer's Market season, which began running every Tuesday on May 7.

At the end of May, the Alberta High School Rodeo finals will be coming to Stettler with the top high school athletes in the province vying for the coveted spots in the nationals over four days.

"It's good for our community," said Weaver, noting that the competitors and their families will stay at local campgrounds, spending money in local restaurants, grocery stores, and on gas. 

According to Alana Weaver, with the Ag. Society, the top four youths from each event will move on to nationals in Rock Springs, Wyoming, this July.

The Stettler and District Ag. Society put in a bid to host the provincial high school finals, winning it for a two-year contract with a one-year option. 2024 is the second year of the contract. 

An already busy weekend, the Alberta High School Rodeo finals will take place the weekend of May 29.

Also going on that weekend are the Heartland Youth Centre's Awesome Auction and baseball tournament.

On June 2, the Stettler Ag. Junior Rodeo Series kicks off its series of four summer dates.

The summer series will run June 2, July 9, 23, and Aug. 6. 

Also in June, from June 4-6 is the North of the Border Showdown rodeo. 

The rodeo follows the same rules as the Alberta High School Rodeo Association.

According to Weaver, the showdown is "one of the richest junior rodeos in Canada."

The rodeo boasts $22,000 in prize money for senior events and $4,000 for junior events. 

Making the rodeo even more special is that the national body which sanctions the showdown has said they are not going to sanction any further events, so Stettler's will remain as one of the six to continue, and the only one in Canada.

"It's a unique opportunity," said Weaver.

Making a comeback in 2024 is the Stettler County Fair and Rodeo, which is set to begin on July 31. 

The event, which has been dormant since the late 1980s, will feature a trade show, the Zeke Thurston Invitational Extreme Bronc riding event, heavy horse pulls, and more. 2025 will see the return of the pro-rodeo.

To keep up with everything happening at the Stettler and District Ag. Society, follow them on Facebook or check out stettleragsociety.com.

 



Kevin Sabo

About the Author: Kevin Sabo

Kevin Sabo has been a resident of the Castor area for the last 12 years, first moving to the area in his previous career as an EMT.
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