Celebrating 50 years

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore and District Agricultural Society celebrated their 50th anniversary by hosting a western formal gala at the Strathmore Civic Centre on Nov. 18.

The goal of the event was to celebrate the volunteers, sponsors and community members who make the Ag Society and all of its endeavors possible. 

“When I experience our events and our facilities … joy surrounds them. People are joy-filled, they are drawing people from across the community and region together who maybe would not necessarily bump into each other,” said Ryan Schmidt, president and CEO of the Ag Society. “Because of the events, it builds bridges between them, it overcomes barriers, it pulls the community together.”

Schmidt, who has been with the Ag Society for the last five years, added he feels a tremendous amount of responsibility to ensure the organization continues to grow, build community and “live up to the efforts and sacrifices” that contributors have dedicated to the organization.

Throughout the local community, the Ag Society plays host to the Strathmore Stampede, the Cowboy Town concert, Fight Nite, the Celebration of Lights, and the summer rodeo school, just to name a few. 

Attending the gala were roughly 200 people who in some way or another— be them staff, sponsors, volunteers, competitors, etc. – have had a part to play in the Ag Society and their events. 

“Something special about it is the way people have been willing to always sacrifice for it to succeed, and for it to build our community,” said Schmidt. “I think we have an impact of drawing people together, we have got an economic impact on the town and the region, and a tourism impact, but to me, what I see is the Ag Society is knitting together the social fabric of the community by providing these joy-filled events.”

Schmidt added he fully intends to attend the centennial banquet in 50 years’ time when he is 94 years old and is looking forward to the next half century of development for the organization. 

Going forward, the next challenge the Ag Society is aiming to overcome is the winter off season. The development of the Western Events and Cultural Centre, Schmidt explained, will be the “keystone” for the next 50 years.

Upon its completion, the facility will allow the Ag Society to host events-year round, instead of being limited to the summer rodeo season.

“This is the vision for the next 50 years to start at least, and where it is by the time we hit year 100, I can’t say for sure, but I know we are going to start the next 50 years with that objective,” said Schmidt.