The Stettler Pheasant Festival hosted their seventh annual event this past October. Although COVID-19 resulted in some plans having to change and the cancellation of the evening socials, the festival continued.
This year saw 85 teams from across Alberta resulting in almost 300 people taking part over the weekend of Oct. 16th-18th, according to a release.
After conducting a Destinations International Event Impact Analysis with the Government of Alberta it was noted that the festival supports 22 jobs and a total of $60,752 in direct and induced sales based on 70 per cent of out of town attendees.
“This would be below average as it does not include the usual sales the committee makes in the community to host the socials and additional events,” noted the Chair, Darcy Pollock.
“Although this year was a bit different, we saw our largest profit to date. We were able to offer a few auction items online and have a strong group of sponsors who continued to support us.”
In the meantime, the committee is well on their way to investing back into a local habitat project to protect and enhance the Chinese ring-necked pheasants within Stettler County.
The committee is also looking to work with a few local landowners to enhance and create new habitat such as windrows and shelterbelts to allow the birds to thrive.
To be put in contact with the committee, contact the Stettler Regional Board of Trade & Community Development at 403- 742-3181.
The Stettler Pheasant Festival committee is gearing up to continue in 2021 with next year’s dates announced, Oct. 15th-17th.
The planning committee hopes that the restrictions on gatherings will be eased and the community and hunters will be able to celebrate together.
Watch for details as registration opens in March, officials say.
The Stettler Pheasant Festival was launched in 2013 to invite people to the community and to aid in the conservation of the Chinese Ringed-neck Pheasant.
The festival has seen people visit from all over western Canada and into the United States.
Many visitors have returned with their friends and family outside of the festival.
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