Stampede season in back in the Hat
By James Tubb on July 20, 2024.
NEWS FILE PHOTO
The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede kicks off for another year, starting next week with the midway opening up Wednesday at Noon.Anna Smith
With Stampede week just around the corner, all eyes are on the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede as they make their final adjustments and preparations.
Things are underway and going well, says General Manager Ron Edwards, though the home stretch has certainly kept volunteers and staff alike busy.
“Everything’s going pretty good over here,” said Edwards. “I just had the Midway front guy come in, he usually comes in a few days ahead and just preps the area, we’ve gone through all the signage, we’re cutting the grass for the final time before everything starts.”
Events are already underway, from the All Breed Horse Show that’s happening this weekend, to Better Living and the Art Show, which are accepting entries as of today.
For now, they have teams of volunteers and crews coming in over the weekend to set up for everything from the main stage and rodeo grounds, to the free entertainment.
Edwards expressed excitement to be finally starting the week, and for the new additions to the celebrations, such as the Cowboy Clash, new free entertainment, and new food vendors that will all be present in the area for the week.
He also expressed gratitude to everyone working hard to make the time-honoured week happen.
“I have a great staff. I’m very proud of them and the work that they do, and very grateful to them and the volunteers, who have just been out here like mad,” said Edwards.
While the forecast for the week marks extremely high temperatures, Edwards doesn’t expect the weather to impede the festivities at all, as long as people are prepared.
“We are used to hot weather, we’ve had it before. We have mister tents and things like that. But I think people really need to make sure that they don’t get dehydrated. We have water everywhere. There’s water stations, you can buy water just about everywhere you want,” said Edwards. “As long as people do that, dress for the weather, and take breaks in the shade when they need to, I think it will be just fine.”
Stampede Week kicks off this weekend with the first pancake breakfasts, hosted throughout the community.
Pancake Breakfasts run:
– July 20 at Homestead Market from 8am–11am
– July 22 at Medicine Hat College from 8am–10am
– July 23 at Hillcrest Church from 7am–10am
– July 24 at Medicine Hat Lodge from 7am–10am
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