Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede general manager Ron Wards speaks at the Stampede office on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 about the upcoming Stampede. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Stampede trying to keep costs down for families

Jul 13, 2022 | 2:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Two weeks out from the official start of this year’s Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede and the grounds are abuzz with activity and excitement.

Staff are setting up outside, everything from stock pens to the beer gardens and tracking down fridges and freezers to fill with water and ice.

“This isn’t our first kick at it but it’s been a couple of years so we have to try and remember where does this go, where does that go,” says general manager Ron Edwards.

The theme for this year is We Ride Again and the official Stampede dates are July 27-30, but events are actually getting underway this week.

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The queen and princess competition runs from July 14-16.

“Thursday night we have horsemanship over in the infield and we have to have that ready, Friday night we have speeches in the auditorium so we have to have that ready,” says Edwards.

The fashion show is set for Saturday with the crowning to take place at the Friday night rodeo during Stampede.

The all-breed horse show is set for July 21-24 and Summer Jam is on July 25.

When Stampede time arrives, Edwards says there will be a couple of new rides to check out and potentially some new food vendors. The familiar favourites like Better Living, Visual Arts and the tradeshow will also be there.

Edwards says they know times are tough with the cost of pretty much everything rising and families have to be smart about their money.

He says there’s plenty of free entertainment and activities on the grounds, and they’ve done what they can to keep the cost of rodeo and nightshow tickets down while also offering admission deals.

“We haven’t upped our prices, I mean our rodeo price is $25 it was that in 2019. You know our nightshow price is dependent on what the package is and we’ve got a fantastic package this year so I think they’re pretty reasonable. Our gate is $10 and it’s been that way for two or three years, so we’ve tried to keep it where people can afford to come,” Edwards says.

Edwards knows it’s been a tough couple of years for businesses too and he’s been blown away by the support shown by sponsors and the community for the city’s first full Stampede in three years.

Visit the Stampede’s website for more information.