The wet and windy weather and drop in temperature couldn't offset the boosted attendance, both in competitors and audience, at the annual Steel Wheel Stampede.
The rodeo moved from its normal date at the end of the season to the start of June, as well as joined into the Peavey Mart rodeo season, to help boost attendance and competitors.
It definitely worked, according to stampede chair Al Campbell. While numbers – competitors and attendees – won't be available to near the end of the month, it was easy to see that weather notwithstanding, there were just more people at the Stettler and District Agricultural grounds.
"There was well over a hundred cowboys and cowgirls competing this year," Campbell said. When the stampede board went to the CCA to ask for a date change, they were told that no one would show up because there were too many rodeos around that time, though they grudgingly granted the date change.
"I guess we showed them," Campbell said.
When the rodeo happens later in the year, competitors are often injured or out of the running for the late season big rodeos, and they don't want to risk injury. By being earlier in the year and part of a rodeo circuit, the numbers jumped, Campbell said.
"The stands were full on Friday and Saturday, more so on Saturday," Campbell said. Even with the occasional downpour, the grandstand roof kept viewers mostly dry.
The cabaret was extremely popular this year, with the show so packed that a second one could have been held, stampede board member Sue Strandquist said.
"It was great," she noted.
For the first time this year, the Stampede included the Stampede Market in the Curling Arena, stuffed to the brim with tables of local merchants and merchants who came from neighbouring communities to peddle their wares.
This year's parade was held under cloudy, drizzling skies, though the major rainfall held off until near the end of the long string of horse riders, vehicles and floats.
Main Street was lined with children and adults alike, with kids chasing after tossed candy from the various businesses and individuals taking part in the parade.
For results, see Steel Wheel Stampede rocks Stettler in our sports section.