Trent Roset of Mahoney and Friends performs with his son Gibson Roset, 12, at the Stampede Grandstand during Summer Jam on Wednesday. Alongside the duo included Jude Roset, 9, Drew Cruickshank, 12, and Oliver Hopkins, 12 who made their concert debut with their band The Cruisers. The concert included performances by Audrey Three, Phoenix, Desperate Measures, Band of Brothers, Derek Hintz, The Cruisers and Witchita. - NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Officials with the Medicine Hat Stampede aren’t dwelling on what’s not included in this year’s edition, choosing to promote concerts and three nights of rodeo on the grounds as a way to celebrate “responsibly” after missing the 2020 exhibition entirely.
“I’m not a big rollercoaster guy,” said Stampede board president David Zeigenhagel. “But we do have food trucks coming to set up so hopefully there will be a corndog or two, and even one truck with mini-doughnuts, which are my favourite.”
He also points to solid ticket sales and a solid response from the public about moving ahead during what’s been a difficult year for scheduling.
Major events at the grounds got underway on Wednesday night with the Summer Jam concert. The three-day rodeo gets going Thursday at 7 p.m., and there’s a Saturday night concert by the Hunter Brothers.
“We’re doing the best job, we can where we can,” said Ziegenhagel. “Many on the board are disappointed, but we’ve really done our best to adapt.”
Missing however are some of the touchstone events of the fair that’s run almost every year for more than a century, excepting war or pandemic.
The 2020 event was essentially cancelled in its entirety, and organizers say there’s an appetite for making up for lost time, but that will have to wait until 2022.
Still missing at this year’s event are the traditional kick-off dance featuring the crowning of a new Stampede Queen. But, new Stampede Royalty will be introduced during the intermission of Friday’s rodeo go-round.
“We’re looking forward to some good events,” said Ziegenhagel. “We’re looking forward to people ready to get out and be responsible.”
There was no opening parade through downtown Medicine Hat on Wednesday, and no president’s luncheon afterward to toast the honorary marshall.
Last month, midway operator West Coast Amusements announced they would stay in their home province of British Columbia servicing the smaller fair circuit.
This week, worsening fire-risk led to the decision to cancel a fireworks show set for Saturday, which is being taken in stride.
“That’s pretty much common sense,” lamented Ziegenhagel. “It’s bit scary out there.”
The Better Living and Visual Art Shows are underway and are open to the public on Friday and Saturday. The Farmer’s Market will be held as usual on Saturday morning.
The Stampede has also booked an outdoor motocross and snowmobile exhibition on Aug. 11 and 12, as well as a drive-in movie night on Aug. 7.
