By Kevin J. Sabo For the Independent
After missing 2020 due to the pandemic, the Steel Wheels Stampede is coming back to Stettler for 2021.
Some changes have been made to the event this year, with the rodeo action only taking place for one evening, on Saturday, July 17th.
“It’s going to be a stripped-down event,” said Warren Weatherly, one of the organizers.
“We’re not going to have a complete rodeo, just a rough-stock event.”
In addition to the rodeo, a variety of other events will be going on as well.
A pancake breakfast will run at the agricultural grounds from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Following the breakfast, the Stettler Car Club will host a show and shine at the grounds from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A parade will wind its way through town starting at 3 p.m. And a demonstration antique tractor pull will take place at 4 p.m.
Rodeo action will kick off at 6:30 pm, with a dance to follow.
There is no admission charge for access to the agricultural grounds, however there will be a fee for the rough-stock event. Tickets for the rough-stock event will be $15 per person, or $50 for a family of four.
“There’s not as many activities as in the past, but we’re trying to entertain the crowd as much as we can,” said Weatherly.
“We want to give them something to look forward to.”
This is the twelfth event in the 13 years the Steel Wheel Stampede has been running, missing only 2020 due to the pandemic.
“We’re excited that we can bring western entertainment back to Stettler,” said Heather Weatherly, another event organizer.
“We’re happy that the restrictions have eased up enough that we are able to bring rodeo to a western community in the heart of Alberta, which embraces the western lifestyle.”
The Steel Wheel Stampede for 2021 is being sanctioned by the World Professional Rodeo Association.