NEWS FILE PHOTOS
Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede officials reported a record year in ticket sales during 2025 including an increase in Stampede entry ticket and midway ride ticket sales. More recently the Stampede reported giving more than 3,000 hotdog to families during the popular Old Tyme Christmas event held early this month.
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Stampedes and rodeos have been the backbone of western Exhibitions since the early beginnings and Medicine Hat is no exception.
From its humble roots during the first Exhibition held in 1887, the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede has grown substantially and is able to host dozens of major events including the Medicine Hat Stampede as well as hundreds of smaller events including weddings, funerals and private markets held throughout the year.
Thousands of people visited the Stampede grounds in 2025 and officials say they sold a record number of tickets for several major events including the Stampede, Indian Relay Races and the WPCA Chuckwagon races.
Ticket sales to enter 2025 Stampede increased by seven per cent and midway ticket sales increased by 10 per cent. General Manager Ron Edwards says the economic impact generated by the Stampede and its rodeo events is an important driver for local businesses increasing tourism.
“The economic impact that they bring into this community is huge, not just from the tourism it drives into our grandstand and into our community,” said Edwards.
Ticket sales to the Summer Pro Rodeo increased by approximately 800 for a total of over 10,000 spectators who filled seats in the grandstands during the three-day rodeo event.
However it’s not just the annual Stampede drawing tourism to Medicine Hat.
Over the past two years the organization has been working hard to beef up its summer programming and reported a record year of attendance at the World Professional Chuckwagon Races, selling more than 7,000 tickets, an increase of more than 650 tickets in 2024.
Attendance at the second Indian Relay Races event nearly doubled according to Stampede officials as more than 4,500 tickets were sold to witness the thrill of the traditional extreme sport.
The organization also successfully held its second Cars N Guitars car show and outdoor concert as well as The Heart of the Horse event and the RCMP Musical Ride which travels to Alberta once every four years.
This year more than 3,000 tickets were sold to the traditional equestrian performance of scarlet-clad officers on black horses while raising more than 1,300 pounds of food and more than $400 in gift cards for the Root Cellar.
“We’re adding new events and people are coming out in greater numbers to all of the events, not just the new ones,” said Ryan McCracken, sponsorship and marketing coordinator.
In fact, the only event the Stampede reported a slight dip in ticket sales in 2025 was during the Spring Rodeo called Broncos & Honky Tonks, which occurred in April at the same time as Medicine Hat Tiger’s historic championship run.
But it’s not just several large-scale festivals and sporting events that are held on the Stampede grounds. The organization employs 18 full-time staff members year-round and between 100 and 150 part-time employees and more than 400 volunteers allowing the Stampede to host hundreds of smaller sized events throughout the year.
From major and minor trade shows, private markets, graduations, weddings, funerals and sporting events held in the fieldhouse holding events like soccer, tennis and roller derby, the Stampede grounds are buzzing with activity throughout the year.
It is also home to the historic Co-op Pioneer Village which features seven different buildings including a blacksmith shop and the McKay Creek School house and is the backdrop for a unique educational program delivered to more than 800 local students last year.
The community classroom learning program started last year and provides students the opportunity to step back in time and experience life in southern Alberta more than 100 years ago.
The program allows teachers to prepare lessons for their students in a style which simulates how they would be taught in a time period without computers, calculators and smart devices.
“They sit at tables and then do essays, or do mathematical questions, or go buy their family groceries for a week,” explained Edwards. “That’s the kind of stuff that they learn and it’s phenomenal.”
As the costs of living continue to climb, the Stampede remains committed to offering the community free family events, including the annual Stampede Parade and more recently, the popular Old Tyme Christmas Fair.
Stampede Officials said they were able to hand out more than 3,000 free hotdogs to visitors earlier this month to visitors who were able to enjoy the spirit of the season with free wagon rides, festival food and a photo with Santa Claus.
Without pause, the Stampede kicks off its 27th annual Beef Pen Show & Cowboy Christmas Trade Show starting at 2 p.m. today with the Sweet Pro Feeds Steak Sampling starting at 6 p.m.
The trade show runs throughout the day on Saturday between 9 a.m to 5 p.m. alongside the pen show.
