Tarp auction a successful event

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) hosted their annual chuckwagon canvas auction for a bulk of their tour on March 22 at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino.
Thirty-six canvases for the top chuchwagons drivers in the world was auctioned off for seven stops on the WPCA circuit, including the Strathmore Stampede July 29 to Aug. 1.
Strathmore and District Agriculture Society general manager Herb McLane said members of the Ag Society and Strathmore Mayor Michael Ell attended the event.
“The event is an important get-together for folks,” said McLane. “This year we had 12 of the 36 wagons at presales that we liked and we went with those. That meant the Top 24 wagons came up for auction. Each driver in turn comes in the auction.
“It’s great fun, it’s an event that not only helps the sport but it’s a part of the legacy of wagon racing. It’s an equalizer in the sense that it brings stakeholders and fans of the sport together in advance of the event itself.”
He added that 20 per cent of gross revenues come back to the venue and then the agricultural society reinvests that back into the safety of the track.
Kurt Bensmiller’s tarp was the top seller for Strathmore, going for $10,000 to Tsuu T’ina Nation.
The total bid amount for Strathmore was $126,000, which is down from last year’s $163,050.