Strathmore Stampede a success
By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter
The fair-weathered weekend brought in thousands of visitors to Strathmore over the long weekend. According to Ryan Schmidt, general manager of the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society, attendance was up 25 per cent over 2018 with an estimated 40,000 patrons coming through the gates and 26,000 tickets sold.
“It was a fantastic weekend. We had great attendances, the volunteers were wonderful and smiling, and the number one thing that we did hear was how hospitable of a treatment that attendees got and just how well everybody was treated,” said Schmidt. “I think all the spectators and attendees had a great time.”
The four days of pro rodeo and chuckwagon action paired up well with other Stampede events including the annual parade, several barbecue and breakfast events, a tradeshow, the return of the midway and games, Running with the Bulls, Running with the Rams, entertainment on the Freeman AV Heritage Stage, the lip sync contest, live music, lots of food and beverages, the cowboy cabaret, the RCMP Musical Ride, fireworks and much more.
Over 400 volunteers volunteered their time throughout the weekend to help run everything.
“These (volunteers) are all people from Strathmore and farms around the area so it’s just a really great way to draw members of the community together and rally around something as special as the Strathmore Stampede,” said Schmidt. “The mood was just ecstatic with how the weekend was and it was really nice to see everybody draw together in support of our community’s biggest event.”
The Strathmore Stampede holds a strong economic impact for the community as it brings in an estimated trickle-down economic benefit of $1.5 million for the town and businesses. This year, sponsorship for the Strathmore Stampede was also up 25 per cent, something the ag society said it is appreciative of as it also helps to create a successful event.