Alberta’s
oldest running consecutive rodeo is set to go this weekend, May 30 -
June 1, and even 92 years later continues to be one of the premier
events of the season, with great entertainment inside and outside the
infield.
The Hand Hills Lake Stampede is a full slate rodeo, with
all the traditional events, sanctioned by the CPRA (Canadian Pro Rodeo
Association) and PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association). The
event features stock from the Calgary Stampede Ranch.
“One thing we are never short of is cowboys,” said Blake Morton, one of the organizers of the event.
He says because it is early in the season, participation is high, and that often means injuries aren’t a factor.
The stampede could stand on its own as just a rodeo, but add chucks, chariots and premium entertainment, it is one of the biggest shows of the season.
Each night from Friday to Sunday, the All Pro Canadian Chuckwagon and Chariot Association will be on the track. As well, the Stewart Sisters, Hearts of The West Trick Riders will perform Saturday during the rodeo. The sisters ages 10 to 15, put on a daredevil show all while on the backs of their mounts.
Bixbys play Friday
A familiar face to locals and those across Canada will be the opening act Friday night at the kick-off party. While Jaydee Bixby wowed Canada with his country style on Canadian Idol, for years before that, the Bixbys opened the Stampede.
The Hand Hills Lake Stampede is steeped in tradition and one is to honour their own to open the rodeo. This year it is the Hand Hills Ladies Aid.
The group formed in 1928, then known as the Hand Hills United Church Ladies Aid. Some eighty years later, there are six active members. The president, Julie Lenfesty, will be the guest of honour and will officially open the show on Saturday, May 31 at noon.
“It is quite an honour,” said Lenfesty, “I will be representing the Ladies Aid.”
The original purpose of the organization was to encourage growth in Christian knowledge, provide fellowship and Christian leadership. For many years it was responsible for funding the church’s building maintenance and paying the minister’s salary. Years later, after another community committee was formed to pay church expenses, the Ladies Aid remained active raising funds for about 26 separate charities and community groups.
The Ladies Aid has created a display of memorabilia that will be at the Hand Hills United Church on the Hand Hills Club Grounds, during the Stampede. It will be open for viewing on Saturday, May 31 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Slack begins Friday at noon
The Hand Hills Lake Stampede kicks off Friday, May 30 at noon with slack. Beer gardens open at 4 p.m. and then the All Pro Canadian Chuck Wagons and Chariots go at 7 p.m.
Dance the night away Friday night as the Bixbys take the stage for the Friday night kick off party.
The Rodeo goes at noon on Saturday and Sunday, but it is not a bad idea to start the day with a western breakfast, served from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. On Saturday night the band Phoenix will headline the Cowboy’s Cabaret.
On Sunday morning there is a Christian Cowboy’s Church Service at 10 a.m. After that the rodeo starts at noon followed by the chucks and chariots at 7 p.m.
For more information on the up close and personal rodeo, see www.handhills.ab.ca
“One thing we are never short of is cowboys,” said Blake Morton, one of the organizers of the event.
He says because it is early in the season, participation is high, and that often means injuries aren’t a factor.
The stampede could stand on its own as just a rodeo, but add chucks, chariots and premium entertainment, it is one of the biggest shows of the season.
Each night from Friday to Sunday, the All Pro Canadian Chuckwagon and Chariot Association will be on the track. As well, the Stewart Sisters, Hearts of The West Trick Riders will perform Saturday during the rodeo. The sisters ages 10 to 15, put on a daredevil show all while on the backs of their mounts.
Bixbys play Friday
A familiar face to locals and those across Canada will be the opening act Friday night at the kick-off party. While Jaydee Bixby wowed Canada with his country style on Canadian Idol, for years before that, the Bixbys opened the Stampede.
The Hand Hills Lake Stampede is steeped in tradition and one is to honour their own to open the rodeo. This year it is the Hand Hills Ladies Aid.
The group formed in 1928, then known as the Hand Hills United Church Ladies Aid. Some eighty years later, there are six active members. The president, Julie Lenfesty, will be the guest of honour and will officially open the show on Saturday, May 31 at noon.
“It is quite an honour,” said Lenfesty, “I will be representing the Ladies Aid.”
The original purpose of the organization was to encourage growth in Christian knowledge, provide fellowship and Christian leadership. For many years it was responsible for funding the church’s building maintenance and paying the minister’s salary. Years later, after another community committee was formed to pay church expenses, the Ladies Aid remained active raising funds for about 26 separate charities and community groups.
The Ladies Aid has created a display of memorabilia that will be at the Hand Hills United Church on the Hand Hills Club Grounds, during the Stampede. It will be open for viewing on Saturday, May 31 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Slack begins Friday at noon
The Hand Hills Lake Stampede kicks off Friday, May 30 at noon with slack. Beer gardens open at 4 p.m. and then the All Pro Canadian Chuck Wagons and Chariots go at 7 p.m.
Dance the night away Friday night as the Bixbys take the stage for the Friday night kick off party.
The Rodeo goes at noon on Saturday and Sunday, but it is not a bad idea to start the day with a western breakfast, served from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. On Saturday night the band Phoenix will headline the Cowboy’s Cabaret.
On Sunday morning there is a Christian Cowboy’s Church Service at 10 a.m. After that the rodeo starts at noon followed by the chucks and chariots at 7 p.m.
For more information on the up close and personal rodeo, see www.handhills.ab.ca
