Stampede turns it loose for the first time

By Medicine Hat News on July 24, 2025.

@MedicineHatNews

The city’s first Agricultural Fair was held in the late 1880s – at the CPR Stockyards – then to land near the present day airport when rodeo was largely added in 1917 to the farm fair that also featured horse racing.

That edition drew 28,000 to the grounds for the show that broadcast the theme of “Turn ‘er loose” – which remains today.

“These have been four red-letter days in the history of Medicine Hat,” wrote the News at its conclusion. “The unanimous verdict of those who have experienced the gathering is that it was one of the finest ever staged in the west.”

“Nothing stale, not a dull moment, everything was up to mark.”

Medicine Hat’s first bucking horse and grand champion was the Hat’s own Emery la Grandeur.

After the Second World War, the newly reformed Stampede company petitioned the City for longterm use of the former prisoner of war camp in present day Crestwood as a permanent location.

The first Stampede Parade since before the Second World War drew 12,000 to the downtown of Medicine Hat, which had a population of 13,000 at the time.

Club dances, breakfasts and even downtown square dancing filled the schedule.

In the rodeo ring that year, Manyberries saddle bronc rider Ken Brower won $100 in prize money on route to winning the Canadian all-around title later in the year.

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