Lions' Club members Roy Gale, left, and James Higgins wrestle over an onion on Tuesday as they prep fixings for the opening of the Lions' kitchen at the Medicine Hat Stampede grounds today. Gale, 102, has helped out with the charity fundraiser ever since he became a Lions member in the early 1950s. - NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
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Roy Gale’s two-year layoff is over as the 102-year-old member of the Lion’s Club reported for duty on Tuesday to chop onions required to keep the Lions’ Kitchen in good supply this Medicine Hat Stampede.
Members of the service club were busy at the distinctive yellow and purple booth at the heart of the midway Tuesday to prepare for their first in person stampede since 2019.
The whole exhibition grounds saw activity increase since Monday toward this afternoon’s opening to crowds that are expected to be large as Hatters celebrate the first full-scale event since the start of the pandemic.
“It’s just good old fashioned food,” said Gale, who is happy to be back and happy to help out again at the booth.
That booth was renovated and reopened in 1958 – about the same time Gale joined the Lions’ Club, which uses the proceeds to pay for charitable donations and fund projects.
The Medicine Hat Stampede held no event in 2020, then put on concerts and rodeo in 2021, but no midway.
That year, the Lions partnered with Mike’s Meats to provide a drive-by burger station “for anyone missing out,” according to club president Lou Harmer.
“We’ve had people tell us that it’s the only reason they come down to the grounds, is to come see us,” she added.
Volunteers aided by local youth groups every year are expecting big crowds and are preparing to keep up with pent up demand.
“We’ve secured every cob of corn we could find in the city, but when they’re gone, they’re gone,” said former club James Higgins, noting the pricing and supply forced the club to delete smokies from the menu this year. To make that up, they’ve added an option of bacon on burgers.
“Come down early,” he said. “We know everyone has a great time.”
Of note, the booth accepts cash only to avoid transaction fees.
