NEWS PHOTO JEREMY APPEL
Last year's Stampede Princess Abby Perrett and Queen Haley Schlenker assist general manager Jim MacArthur on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 in announcing the theme of this year's event, which is "Spotlight on Agriculture."
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
The Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede has announced its lineup for its 2019 iteration, which will go from July 24-27.
This year’s theme is “Spotlight on Agriculture,” which “will take us from the beginnings of agriculture in the area … to the modern science of agriculture,” according to Stampede general manager Jim MacArthur.
The festivities will wrap up with a performance from main headliner Creedence Clearwater Revisited on Saturday, July 27, at 9 p.m.
July 24 – the Wednesday – will kick off the rodeo with a modern country night show at 8 p.m., with performances from Brett Kissel and the Hunter Brothers.
The classic country night show is on Thursday with Blackhawk and Restless Heart performing at 9 p.m. after the rodeo.
Marni Elliott, the night show committee chair, says they start planning the night shows almost immediately after they announce the previous year’s lineup.
“We’ll take this month to get everything released, tickets go on sale, and then we need to look at the next year,” said Elliott.
“We try try really hard to make sure we have a wide variety of music that comes. We usually do something with the newer country. We do like the classics. We know that our audience loves those bands. And, as well, we always do something more into the rock.”
In other Stampede news, the Broncs and Honky Toncs indoor spring rodeo and trade show is scheduled for April 5-7, while the Chuck Wagon Races will occur June 13-16.
Ticket packages for all events go on sale today at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at the Stampede grounds, Medicine Hat Mall or online at mhstampede.com. The night show packages range from $134 to $191 and include the price of admission.
Individual tickets will be available in April after the spring rodeo.
