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Ron Edwards of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede was presented with the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs Hall of Fame award by former recipient Bob Batista.
The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s own Ron Edwards has received an award from the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs Hall of Fame, the organization’s top honour.
“It was an actual shock to me, because at the convention there’s 500 people. You look out there and there’s a lot of deserving people,” he told the News. “It’s an honour and a very humbling experience.”
Edwards is a past president of the Stampede, as well as a past president of the RMAF – the first Canadian to hold that position. He currently chairs a few committees, chief among them free entertainment on the grounds.
He received the honour at this year’s RMAF gathering – which represents fairs, exhibition and rodeos from 95 jurisdictions in 11 states and two provinces – in Layton, Utah.
“I bring in a lot of our free entertainment through RMAF – from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nashville,” said Edwards.
He says he gets a lot of Canadian entertainment as well, but often recruits from the States to ensure there are new performers each year.
“I’m very fortunate that the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede has sent me down there for the past 33 years,” said Edwards. “I couldn’t do that without them.”
He says it’s not just a means of recruiting talent, but an educational and networking opportunity to see what other fairs are up to.
“I’m very privileged to have made so many good friends in the fair industry on both sides of the border,” Edwards said. “They call it the ‘fair family’.”
Stampede general manager Jim MacArthur says Edwards’ dedication to the industry is unparalleled.
“He’s been really active – not only with the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede – but has taken a huge interest in the fair industry as a whole,” said MacArthur. “We’re really proud of his accomplishments.”
