Ron Edwards has taken the reins as Stampede GM (Photo Courtesy Scott Roblin)

By Brian Konrad

Ron Edwards now in charge

New GM named at Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede

Nov 30, 2021 | 11:39 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede has a new leader.

Long-time director and former president Ron Edwards has been named as general manager after the Stampede company parted ways with Kara Brake earlier this month.

Edwards most recently has been spearheading the fundraising effort directed toward a new event centre and convention facility, replacing the current aging grandstands on the Stampede grounds.

He says he’s as surprised as most people to find himself in this position going into the busy month of December but says the board has given him the reins for however long he wants to take them.

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“It won’t be long term; I came out of retirement to do this job,” says Edwards.

Edwards says he still has the passion needed for the position and says the board of directors “have given me the football to carry as far as I want to go with it.”

The new general manager says at some point in time, he plans to bring in someone from within the organization to learn and have the passion to carry this business forward.

Edwards says planning for 2022 is in full swing beginning with a spring rodeo in April, chuckwagons in June and the annual Stampede rodeo and fair in July.

Former general manager Kara Brake says she’s happy to have had the opportunity and experience gained with the Stampede.

For now, she’s enjoying some time off with family and focusing on herself.