The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Beef Pen Show and Cowboy Christmas Trade Show kicks off Friday.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Kicking off on Friday, the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Beef Pen Show and Cowboy Christmas Trade Show, like most years, promises to be packed.
Every aspect of the show is at capacity, said general manager Ron Edwards, from the pen show itself, to commercial cattle or the various 4-H groups that will be showing their projects from the year.
“We’ve got a full contingent of animals,” said Edwards. “And we’re completely full on vendors for the trade show as well, so we’re pretty excited about that.”
While they had to “duck and dodge” a couple of other events, said Edwards, setup is going smoothly and they’re more than ready to kickstart the event on Friday afternoon with cattle viewing alongside the official opening of the trade show at 2 p.m.
From there, tradition continues strong with the Sweet Pro Feeds Steak Sampling at 6 p.m, before the pen show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The event will continue Saturday morning with the 4-H shows and grooming competition, alongside further last-minute shopping and more animals to view.
The Commercial Bred Heifer Show, Purebred Heifer Breeders Showcase, Purebred Bull Breeders Showcase and Cattlemen’s Choice Bull Show will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
“This show is very important for the purebred breeders, with being able to show all their purebred animals, it’s certainly important for the 4-H to get out and show what they’re doing,” said Edwards. “Of course, commercial, that’s what’s around Medicine Hat that supports this show, so it’s great to get them involved, too. I think a lot of people benefit from it, including the community, because, I mean, these people all stay in hotels and eat in restaurants.”
Edwards expressed gratitude for all of the staff and volunteers who came together to make the event possible and the overwhelming support from the community, as well as hope for good weather conditions for everyone coming from across the province and beyond to catch a glimpse of southern Alberta cattle.
