SUBMITTED PHOTO
Investors Group won the Heart of the Stampede award Monday for its Toy Story-inspired display.
Third from right: Stampede Queen Rayelle Smith
The judging for Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede’s store decorating challenging occurred Monday, with winners selected in seven categories.
Age Care Valleyview won for institutions and services, TD for banks, Kal Tire for retail stores, Cypress View Veterinarian Clinic and Animal Medical Centre South tied for non-retail and office, the Royal Canadian Legion – Robertson Memorial Branch #17 for bars and restaurants, Pritchard & Company LLP for those who haven’t entered before, and Investors Choice for the Judge’s Award-Heart of the Stampede.
“The competition among the stores was unbelievable this year,” said Darlene Keeler, the Stampede’s promotions chair. “When one store actually gets involved in it, for one year they’re kind of leery of what to do, but then the next year they get involved they just let their imaginations go.”
She says the purpose of the challenge is to get the community excited for the Stampede, “to bring joy to the citizens of Medicine Hat and appreciation of what the Stampede is all about.”
Companies had from June 1 – when the event’s brochure went out – until Monday morning to enter.
Keeler said there were 24 entrants for 2019.
The Heart of the Stampede award was created specifically for Investor’s Choice this year, due to their going above and beyond in their decoration.
“This group just went outside of the box,” she said. “They stuck with the theme, but they added something special to it. They used ‘Toy Story’ to emphasize the Stampede.”
