The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede held its Volunteer Night at the Cypress Centre on Thursday, honouring more than 450 helpers who make the organization's many events possible.--NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITH
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Thursday night saw hundreds of volunteers fill the Cypress Centre for a sincere thank-you from Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.
The event is common for this time of year, says general manager Ron Edwards, as the summer season draws to a close.
“We’ve had a really busy spring and summer. Our volunteers participate in all the events that we have on the grounds, right from Spring Rodeo right through to, most recently, Indian Relay Racing,” said Edwards. “We have a good 500-600 volunteers, and about 450 of them are here tonight.”
The event featured a dinner, as well as live entertainment by Sleepless Nights, Queen Mila Stuut and Princess Joleigh Wood in attendance, as well as prize draws, all in the name of showing appreciation for all the work volunteers and staff have done to make the various offerings of MHES possible.
MHES relies on 33 different committees of volunteers, says Edwards, in addition to staff, who handle things from helping with the MHES Queen and Princess and rodeo to night shows.
“We have a very good staff, and they work very, very hard,” said Edwards. “By the end of the season, I think everybody’s burnt out, volunteers and staff. Throughout the season, you’ll see everyone here and there, but you really don’t get a chance, even though you do try. But this is our way of saying thank you to everybody.”
Edwards expressed gratitude to all volunteers, staff and sponsors who make everything, including the volunteer evening, possible. He added that they are always looking for volunteers if anyone is interested in being a part of everything that MHES does, and that there is a committee for everybody to be able to contribute to what they’re passionate about.
Though the summer season is coming to a close, the Stampede grounds still have plenty of events upcoming, including the Beef Pen Show on Dec. 19-20 and various Christmas markets to help prepare for the holidays, alongside several major event rentals.
