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ALEX MCCUAIG
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The weather threatened to put a damper on
this year’s Medicine Hat Stampede but in the end, close to
100,000 sauntered through the turnstiles over four days.
The final day saw close to $95,000 handed
out between the rodeo events and close to that much through many of
the service group raffles at the grounds.
Top acts played the Grandstand but most
Hatters at the annual event said it was honest family fun that
brought them to the show this year and will bring them back
next.
General manager for the Stampede, Jim
MacArthur, said the value stampede-goers received for their money
this year was second to none.
“We added to our free entertainment.
Once you were on the grounds, there was a lot to see and do,”
he said.
“We added a high-dive act and
Winn’s Thrill Show and I think people in Medicine Hat came to
realize that on Wednesday and Friday, you could come and see all
that for $2.”
MacArthur said judging from the looks of
things, attendance was at its usual level.
After a total of 10 years working as the
Stampede general manager, MacArthur said things have changed over
time.
“Technology hasn’t necessarily
made things any easier. We have online ticket sales and ATMs and
there is a whole level of technological expertise that we have to
rely on now to carry us through ,” he said.
“But the essence hasn’t
changed – it’s a celebration of western heritage in
your home town.”
Incoming Stampede Board president Harold
Exner said Hatters can expect much the same next year.
“We change with the times and we
have grown but we always have a great volunteer base, that’s
what makes this organization what it is,” he said.
“Our contract with West Coast
Amusement will be for another five years, we have the Kesler
contract ongoing and the free stage and the night show people will
make their decisions in November.”
But the Stampede committees won’t be
waiting long to start preparing for the 2009 edition of the
Hat’s rodeo, with planning beginning right away.
One thing that hasn’t changed at the
grounds since the resurgence of the Stampede following the Second
World War is long time volunteer George Fisher.
He began working for the Stampede in 1947
and was until 1975 in charge of ticket sales. In 1976, he was
president followed by a seven year stint as treasurer and just
about every other job since then.
One thing has definitely changed over the
year’s in Fisher’s opinion.
“They have so much money know they
don’t know what to do with it. When we started we had
nothing.” |
