ARGRA plans for bigger event; town’s help requested

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Despite coming up short of meeting an expected attendance target, the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) is eager to get back into the saddle with an even bigger event, one they hope to partner up on with the town.
While ARGRA was disappointed with the number of patrons attending this year’s Canadian Rockies International Rodeo and Music Festival, and rumours circulated that the organization may relocate their event to another town, ARGRA approached town council for help.
As a non-profit organization, ARGRA’s mandate states that once the bills are taken care of and funds are put aside for next year, the remainder of the proceeds go back into the community.
While the budget suffered this year, the board members are already looking towards next year, ambitious to partner with the town on a Canada Day event that would require financial support.
“We’re looking for help from the town in the way of a grant or loan to help us move forward,” said Craig McPhee, events director for ARGRA. “We unfortunately took a bit of a hit to our budget this year, because we didn’t get the attendance. But we want to keep going, we love these rodeo grounds … and we have nothing but respect for the Strathmore Ag Society and the help that they’ve given us over the time that we’ve been here, and we want to keep that relationship going.”
McPhee approached town council on July 22, with a proposal for a Canada Day concert that would involve various music genres – country, old rock, alternative – and feature Terri Clark as headliner.
While Councillor Brad Walls remarked he heard rumours that Reba McIntyre would be performing on the Saturday, McPhee teased the performer they have in mind has an even bigger reputation. The three-day event, planned for July 1 to July 3, would also include a rodeo school, and a small midway to accommodate families on the grounds.
“There’s so much involved in putting this event together every year, and we have a huge group of dedicated volunteers … that put on our events throughout the year,” McPhee said. “This year we opened ourselves up to the town and Calgary and southern Alberta like we’ve never had before. So along with that, of course, we get the negativity as well. But the one nice thing about Strathmore and everywhere else, the positives greatly outweigh the negative comments that we got. So that was good to see.”
ARGRA, an entirely volunteer-based organization, relocated their event, locally known as the gay rodeo, to Strathmore seven years ago. After years of introducing the town to eccentric rodeo contests – wild drag racing, goat dressing, and steer decorating – the event attracted participation across North America and for the first time gained media attention internationally this year.
Although the organization took a new approach and organized a music festival featuring the likes of LeAnn Rimes and the Village People, the attendance didn’t meet their projected 5,000 patrons. Yet some local businesses, local officials, Strathmore and District Agriculture Society members, and the ARGRA board members have noticed significant growth and impact on the town.
“I have a business downtown in Strathmore and we see lots and lots of people connected with your rodeo,” said Councillor Rocky Blokland to McPhee. “I’m pretty sure of my own mind, being here for 15 years, I’ve seen more people with your rodeo downtown than I do at Heritage Days, other than the parade, and I really hope that you guys keep moving forward with this next year.”
Before the rodeo and music festival took place at the end of June, ARGRA distributed over $3,000 to numerous recipients including the Strathmore Community Football Association Badgers, the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games, the Calgary Regional Child and Family Services office in Strathmore, and to the ladies hockey tournament.
McPhee made an appearance at the regular council meeting to open up a dialogue with town council, and was unable to propose a monetary amount at that time.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to join our Canada Day festivities and look for common ground in terms of being able to provide an enhanced opportunity for entertainment in the community and I like the music festival concept,” said Councillor Denise Peterson. “I think Strathmore is ready to have a great music festival and clearly (they’re) the group to do it. I believe that it will continue to gain acceptance and appreciation in the community.”
While all of council praised the organization’s efforts and successes over the years, some councillors made sure to point out the economic downturn and strains placed on budgets overall.
As Councillor Sobol commended the ARGRA representative on their optimism and willingness to expand the events, he pointed out that entertainment contributions are usually the first ones to be cut. Councillor Steve Grajczyk echoed Sobol’s remarks.
“We do have a small budget for donations, but these are tough times for everybody and we have to watch who we lend money to because of various reasons,” said Grajczyk. “We can’t make a financial decision here tonight.”
Town Councillor and president of the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society Brad Walls, praised ARGRA on the ease of working together and their growth – having noticed significant rise in the number of contestants and spectators in the stands. Pointing out that the problems are similar to the Strathmore Stampede rodeo when they first started out, he encouraged the organization to continue with their efforts.
As council is open to entertaining the idea of partnering up with ARGRA on a Canada Day event, McPhee was instructed to send a letter to administration asking for consideration.
McPhee is confident the future is bright for both parties: “To build an event that, if we can make it through these tough economic times because oil eventually will rebound … then we’ll be in a position to make an even bigger splash on the festival scene in southern Alberta and help Strathmore along the lines with that.”