Stampede numbers stronger than expected

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Regardless of trepidation about a 30 per cent loss in attendance with rodeos in surrounding areas due to an economic downturn, the Strathmore Stampede attracted record numbers last weekend – numbers that are being credited to the signature event’s reputation, changes in advertising, and a large number of new venues and attractions.
Crowds flocked to Canada’s third largest rodeo this year, eager to score a front-row seat for the acclaimed 12th annual Running With the Bulls event, hoping to get into the cabaret that was forced to turn hundreds of people away, or enter their furry four-legged friend in the latest competition – the Dachshund races.
Although plummeting numbers at nearby attractions suggested Strathmore may be facing a similar fate, the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society were pleasantly surprised when Strathmore’s numbers contradicted those predictions.
This held especially true, when the Strathmore Family Centre reached its 1,800 people capacity and a line-up of roughly 300 patrons were eagerly waiting to get into the cabaret.
“Our cabaret, we were turning people away, that’s how busy we were,” said Brad Walls, president of the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society. “I haven’t seen crowds at the cabaret like that since 2006. Obviously we were expecting a downturn, and that not happening shows us we’re doing something right and whatever that is, we’re going to continue on that path.”
For more than a year, staff and volunteers have implemented numerous changes and worked hard on expanding the Stampede experience. These changes included different musical performances, various entertainment – which had a greater focus on teenagers than before – and switching the Monday schedule to feature the chuckwagon finals before the rodeo finals.
The change-up in schedule resulted in the largest crowd for the chuckwagon finals and a large swarm of spectators for the rodeo finals.
The society attributes some of the turnout to the reallocation of advertising dollars that were spent on various radio stations. One such radio advertisement attracted an individual to run with the bulls; he then ended up taking home the $1,000 prize.
“It’s part of our identity as a town, a district, and a community,” said Herb McLane, general manager for the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society. “The rodeo is a big part of Strathmore’s history, therefore its legacy, and judging by the crowd a lot of people still love the rodeo. Whether it’s the rodeo, the wagons, the running with the bulls, or a combination between livestock and man, I think it says a lot of the fabric of our community and the values we hold dear.”
Even though a midway was not securable, the society focused their attention on providing families, teenagers, and adults with enough attractions to keep one occupied.
The society received feedback, specifically regarding the Heritage Wine Cellar, which was presented by the Co-op. However, for Chairman of the Strathmore Pro Rodeo Committee, Pascal Del Guercio, who’s been involved in the event for years, the Strathmore Stampede remains unpredictable.
“Some years just go better, because there are some match ups between the livestock and the cowboys, and we had some awesome horses and great bull riders, bronc riders, and bareback riders,” Del Guercio said. “There were no incidents in any of the chuckwagon races, none in the livestock with the rodeo, and we’ve had a long record where we’ve never had a problem. At the end of the day, all I can say is I’m really happy, everyone was safe, everyone had a good time, and a lot of money was won by some of the cowboys.”
According to Del Guercio, the four-day-long event awarded contestants with a total sum of approximately $350,000.
While the society deals with numerous other events throughout the year, the team will already start planning for next year’s signature event.
“It was one of the best weekends we’ve ever had,” said Walls. “We’ve had very few incidents on the park, and we are looking forward to a bigger and better next year.”