The Hand Hills Lake Stampede has become a tradition for many families to come and enjoy an up-close and personal rodeo experience.
For some, the tradition is volunteering to make it a great show.
Marilyn Vredegoor has been one of those volunteering for more than four decades.
“I have been a volunteer for about the 45 years I have been here in the Hand Hills,” she tells the Mail. “It was just the thing to do, everyone was involved, it was such a big community thing to do. The whole community shut down to get ready for the stampede.”
While she has not been on the executive, she has played key roles as a volunteer, planning and preparing, as well as working during the event.
“I was still going to be there regardless,” she said.
She was a big part of the centennial celebrations for the Hand Hills Stampede, including creating a book to celebrate the legacy of the event.
“My thing is I like to see people have a good time, and I figure that is what is happening. The accolades that come with it, they don’t matter, as long as they are having a good time,” she said.
The Stampede has gone through its ups and downs but has seen a strong resurgence.
“It was dying for a while because we had it on a Wednesday, but once we went to the weekend, it has come a long way in the last 20 years,” she said.
They were named the Small Committee of the Year Award by Pro Rodeo Canada for the last three years running.
Vredegoor says one of the most important aspects of the event is families.
“We never want to lose that part of it, where families can come and spend a weekend together,” she said. “It is a tradition, 104 years, there is a generational thing that goes along with it.”
She sees volunteerism is important to a small community and everyone should give it a try.
“It’s work, but it’s fun work. You get to mingle with people, be out with people and express your own ideas and see them come full circle. You need to do it because there is something bigger than you,” she said.
