(Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Stampede hosts drive-by parade to celebrate retirement of long-standing manager

Feb 20, 2021 | 3:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– It was a celebration Saturday afternoon, filled with farewells and thank-you’s as a parade of cars made their way through the stampede grounds to show their gratitude for Jim MacArthur, a man who played a pivotal role in the stampede’s success for over two decades.

“Jim has been a terrific manager for our organization for many, many, years, I think it’s around 24. There hasn’t been a more dedicated manager than he was. He puts in countless amounts of hours. We are going to miss him dearly,” said Dave Ziegenhagel, president of the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede.

Throughout his years of involvement at the stampede, MacArthur played an active role in putting the events together to ensure that come stampede time, a great experience occurs for everyone taking part.

“He’s done a lot of events with the rodeos, the Friday night rodeos, was one of the big events we changed from Friday afternoon to Friday night. He puts enormous amounts of hours on getting rentals into our facilities,” he said.

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Ziegenhagel said over the years, MacArthur has been nothing but a great mentor to so many.

“He’s a friend as much as he is a manager,” Ziegenhagel said, noting his dedication was unmatchable.

“You would come over here at 8 p.m. when he is supposed to be home and he is here. For him to put in a 16 hour day all through the year isn’t uncommon, he is very dedicated to this organization,” he said.

As the cars drove through, cards were dropped off, and waves, thank-you’s, and well-wishes were exchanged, as MacArthur enjoyed his last day on the job.