ARGRA contemplates staying in Strathmore

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Criticism of Strathmore’s participation during the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo and Music Festival received some backlash from local business owners and residents, at a time when the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) is contemplating its next move.
After seven years of embracing some unconventional contests – steer decorating, wild drag racing, and goat dressing – the association is entertaining the idea of relocating to another town.
As ARGRA’s three-year contract expires, other municipalities have expressed interest in hosting the world-renowned event, in concurrence with lower than expected turnout at last month’s concerts. Despite efforts to attract bigger crowds with support from the Village People, LeAnn Rimes, and George Canyon, expectations fell flat when attendance didn’t come close to the projected 5,000 patrons.
“We need to do what we need to do to survive, so are we coming back? I hope so,” said Jason Baker, president for ARGRA.
“We are looking at all sorts of options in Strathmore, working with the Town and businesses and we have had great support from lots of people there who certainly outweigh some of the other comments we have gotten. We have a team of volunteers who are still catching their breath from this year’s amazing event… all I can say right now is stay tuned.”
However, recent public comments made by Baker, especially through social media, rubbed residents of Strathmore the wrong way. One upset resident in particular, Roadhouse Restaurant and Lounge General Manager Belinda Derraugh, was disappointed with the lack of gratefulness the establishment received after sponsoring and supported the event.
“I was totally upset with what Jason Baker was saying, and a lot of it is not even true,” she said. “To say that people of Strathmore didn’t go because they’re gay? I wouldn’t speak for every single person of 13,000 but I would speak for a lot of people to say they don’t care if they’re gay or not gay. They can’t blame us for their numbers being down.”
According to Derraugh, neither the Roadhouse Restaurant and Lounge nor the Strathmore Station Restaurant and Pub noticed a difference in patronage, particularly those wearing wristbands, to their businesses during the rodeo weekend.
Upon being approached by the association, the restaurant donated $500, which Derraugh said wasn’t followed up with acknowledgement or a thank you. And while she disagrees with comments made by local politicians that the event brings in thousands of dollars to local businesses, the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society has seen a spike in camping lot sales to 206 this year from last year.
“From our perspective ARGRA are very good clients and they’re important to us from a business perspective, they respect our park and our facilities and our assets and they are easy to work with,” said Herb McLane, general manager of the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society.
“We are at the end of a contract and we have had preliminary discussions… they’ve indicated to us that they wish to come back. The last we spoke that was the direction we were headed with them. I’m looking forward to that, and we would like to have them back, they’re good for our business.”
McLane said in speaking with staff and community members, there seemed to be an increase in rodeo-goers in comparison to last year, an opinion other businesses share. The Strathmore Travelodge noticed an increase each year during the ARGRA weekend compared to other weekends, but numbers didn’t spike in comparison to previous years. However, hotel manager for the franchise said having the event in Strathmore does make a difference on their business.
Although the concerts didn’t attract as many people as had been initially anticipated, hundreds of people from all over Canada, the United States, and internationally made their way close to the stage to see LeAnn Rimes live. The music travelled to the surrounding areas, including Dwight Stanford’s house, the chief administrative officer for the Town of Strathmore. Blown away by the quality of the music and the organization of the event, Stanford hopes the association remains in Strathmore for the benefit of the town.
“The music was absolutely phenomenal… it was some of the best we’ve ever had in Strathmore,” he said. “They spent quite a bit of money at various places in town so that’s been good for the town. They were hoping for more people at the concerts, and for some reason a lot of people didn’t show up. I personally hope they stay here, because it’s good for the town.”
The Town of Strathmore’s regular council meeting on July 22, contained a delegation by ARGRA to discuss the town’s willingness to help support the event and play an active role in the decision of the event remaining in Strathmore.