Rodeo tarp auction

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

On April 7 the WPCA held their annual tarp auction for the 2015 chuckwagon racers. In the past the auction could run six hours or more, but this year in an effort to hurry things along, the WPCA presented the option of presales up until March 23.
There were 36 wagons and drivers were able to sell their tarps prior to the April 7 auction. Race venue committees, like the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society, were able to look over and approve the tarps prior to the auction.
Herb McLane, general manager for the Ag Society, said there were 16 tarps approved, leaving 30 up for auction. The general results of the sale in Strathmore worked out to a total amount of bids at $195,000, with an average sale of $5,416, and the highest selling tarp going for $10,000.
“Our results were off a bit year-over-year, about 20 per cent, and that’s pretty much what we had projected given the economic times, the oil patch, other factors that are out in the market place,” said McLane, which he said was about what the Society had expected.
“Our public that likes rodeo likes wagons, they’re real fans, so ticket sales go briskly, either as packages with the rodeo, or some folks just come for the wagons.”
The Stampede and Heritage Days rodeo is the big event of the year, the largest core event for the Ag Society. It happens each year thanks to the investment, hands and volunteers who put time in. McLane said the Society does offer more than just rodeo, they are a year-round event park with lots going on and plans for more.