CRIR silent on returning funds

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

The Town of Strathmore is being left in the dark about the fate of thousands of dollars in sponsorship for advertising to the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo (CRIC), after the cancellation of the 2016 music festival and rodeo.
The organization released a statement over two weeks ago announcing a decision to no longer forge ahead with Canada’s largest gay rodeo and the anticipated Canada Day music festival, which would’ve featured acclaimed artists such as Terri Clark, the Road Hammers, and Kim Mitchell.
While the announcement left the community and its local politicians baffled – a decision they were told proved a direct result of the Fort McMurray fires and low ticket sales – CRIR remained reticent thus far on $10,000 the town awarded the organization in January to go towards advertising at the event.
“Our goal is to hopefully get the money back and use it for other community festivals or other groups looking for sponsorship but at this point we have no information,” said Tracy Simpson, community services coordinator with the Town of Strathmore.
“All we’ve been told is that the board is coming up with a plan and once they have a plan they would be letting us know. Unfortunately we’ve had very little communication.”
The event would’ve featured more than 12 well-known artists, a 13-event rodeo, a barbeque, food trucks, and beer and wine vendors. This year would’ve marked the festival’s 23rd anniversary and seventh year in Strathmore.
The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA), who hosted the event last year, and CRIR were unavailable for comment. Council requested for the issue to be brought back for the June 15 regular council meeting.