Strathmore ag society announces biggest Stampede yet

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After having to cancel the annual event in 2020, the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society is excited to announce the return of the Strathmore Stampede for the August long weekend.

Strathmore ag society General Manager and CEO, Ryan Schmidt, said he intends to make the event bigger and better than ever to celebrate not only being able to host again, but being able to bring people together.

“We really wanted to do something to celebrate the relaunch of Strathmore Stampede. Especially after not being able to go last year, we wanted something really exciting,” he explained.

In addition to the rodeo, chuckwagon races and running with the bulls common to prior stampedes, Schmidt said there will be two additional keynote events to look forward to this year.

“It is Friday Night Lights, a concert by Gord Bamford, as well as an extremely large fireworks show that’s part of the ticket and will be presented by Heckya,” he said. “We were able to secure Gord Bamford to be here and Gord’s music is Alberta through-and-through. I think he’d just fit right in with our crowd at the Strathmore Stampede and it’s going to be pretty much the biggest concert that Strathmore has ever had.”

Schmidt added the fireworks won’t be your average “run-of-the-mill” show – boasting the display to be something nobody is going to want to miss. Also returning is the midway on the fairgrounds.

Based on prior years of operation, Schmidt cited that over the course of the four-day event, roughly 40,000 people will pass though the gates of the fairgrounds. 

Additionally, the Strathmore Stampede attracts approximately $4 million in revenue for the town and surrounding region.

“It spreads out from restaurants, to hotels, to all kinds of suppliers. We’re purchasing hay, we’re purchasing straw bales, requiring feed for animals, we’re buying supplies for the fair, it’s endless,” noted Schmidt. “I can tell by the early ticket sales numbers that we’re heading towards one of the greatest Strathmore Stampedes we’ve had. People are so hungry to get out and participate in the event.”

He added over 400 volunteers will be helping to keep the stampede running smoothly. 

With so many people in one place, Schmidt said he wanted to reassure the public he and his team are working with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to keep people safe and maintain any protocols that must be in place. “We certainly have everybody’s safety top of mind and will be taking whatever precautions we can to keep people safe; we’ll be in consultation with AHS about that.”

This year’s event run from July 30 to Aug 2. Standard show tickets are $45 with additional options available, with everything up for grabs through the Strathmore Stampede website.

“It’s not just about Strathmore Stampede, it’s also a community celebration … it’s really a place for people to come together, especially after being forced to be apart for so long.”