Stampede Roundup: It might take all four days to get it all in this year!

By Ryan McCracken on July 4, 2025.

Ever wanted to see pigs fly? Well now’s your chance!

New to this year’s Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Summer Fair, July 23-26, Aces Flying Pig Races will be held three times daily just outside Pioneer Village.

So what are Aces Flying Pig Races? I’ll admit they lack wings, but these little critters sure can fly around the track in hilariously entertaining high-stakes pig racing!

“Specializing in the whimsical sport of pig racing, this unique show blends humour, competition and fun as trained piglets race around a track, vying for the top spot,” reads a description on the Aces Flying Pig Races promotional site. “Each pig is named after a pop-culture icon, adding an extra layer of excitement as fans cheer on their favourite ‘celebrity’ pigs. With its fast-paced races, entertaining commentary, and high-energy atmosphere, Aces Flying Pig Races is designed to engage audiences of all ages.”

Joining Aces in the Free Entertainment lineup, we’ve got returning favourites in celebrity hypnotist Terrance B and the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs, as well as The Oddibles Duo, performing daily on the North Stage, and local group Gaslight Gumbo taking their musical talents across the grounds, both back for a second consecutive year.

Returning to the Free Stage by popular demand, 2023 Stampede favourite Five On The Side will perform their high-energy cover songs daily at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at the Petting Zoo in Co-op Pioneer Village, a camel will be joining the party along with goats, sheep, lambs, piglets, pot-bellied pigs, calves, rabbits, chickens, mini horses and mini donkeys.

Speaking of Pioneer Village, Methanex Kiddies Day returns Friday, July 25 from 12-3 p.m., with free admission for kids 12 and under, even more games and prizes, not to mention face painting, pony hops a fishing pond, colouring contest, photo booth, jellybean guessing and so much more.

Also Friday, the local Cowboy Clash Ranch Rodeo returns for a second summer at 1 p.m. This free grandstand event features cowboys from storied local ranches competing in cattle sorting, roping, branding, trailer loading and more.

Country in the City also returns daily to the Cypress Centre Fieldhouse with new attractions including a farrier demonstration, a llama and an alpaca. Also in the Cypress Centre, the Better Living and Visual Arts shows will be back featuring works from hundreds of talented local artists and artisans.

Summer Jam will once again set the stage for Stampede Week in Medicine Hat on Monday, July 21 at 6 p.m, featuring local music from Mahoney, rising star Mila Reid, Desperate Measures, Presley Battle Band, Bramble and the Rose, Fox n’ the Hounds, Smiling Politely and KMAG YOYO, and a pre-show with the Derek Hintz Trio.

The annual Stampede Parade will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 9 a.m. with Premier Danielle Smith serving as honorary parade marshal. The parade will feature the same route down River Road from last year. You can find that map online at mhstampede.com or on our Facebook page.

All this and I haven’t even mentioned our marquee events – the Summer Pro Rodeo and our all-Canadian Night Show lineup.

The rodeo gets going Thursday at 5 p.m. with CPRA cowboys and cowgirls taking on Kessler Stock, and continues with Friday’s 8 p.m. under-the-lights performance and a Saturday afternoon finale at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can still be purchased at the Stampede Office and tickets.mhstampede.com.

Doc Walker will hit the grandstand stage with special guest Rent to Own on Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m., while Tim and the Glory Boys will follow up Thursday’s rodeo with their unique canoegrass style, then Crash Test Dummies and Wide Mouth Mason will close out the week with a Saturday night performance at 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about everything coming to this year’s Summer Fair in our Official Event Guide – coming soon to a newspaper near you!

Ryan McCracken is sponsorship and marketing co-ordinator at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede