Kal Tire's winning entry in 2019. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Chris Brown

Deadline extended

Stampede Store Decorating Challenge short on entries

Jul 15, 2022 | 11:58 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A big part of Stampede week and the days leading up to it is the way it becomes a community-wide celebration.

Storefronts around the city are typically filled with hay bales and mini tractors and staff dress the part for the Store Decorating Challenge. That’s not looking to be the case in 2022.

Darlene Keeler, president-elect and board member of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, said Wednesday that no entries had been received.

“Usually we have between 25 and 30 registrants and hopefully we will meet that. If not we’ll go with what we get,” she says. “It’s always a good way to promote their business and to let the citizens know where they are, how they can help with this Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.”

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There are six categories that businesses and organizations can enter: Institutions and Community Services, Banks, Retail Stores, Non-Retail Offices, Bars/Restaurants/Hotels/Fast Food and New Entrants. Each entry receives six free gate admissions and coupons and the category winners each get two tickets to Saturday’s rodeo and two tickets to that night’s grandstand show featuring The Beach Boys.

Keeler says she’ll take applications until July 20. Judging will take place on July 25 and will be based on decoration, originality and employee participation. The displays must remain up until the end of day on July 30.

Keeler has put out a plea to the Chamber of Commerce to remind its members about the competition and help spread Stampede spirit around the community.

“We’re classifying this as a new start for the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede and it could be a new start for the businesses themselves to promote themselves,” she says.

Keeler also has a challenge for the community.

“We can outdo Calgary Stampede anytime. We’re the oldest Stampede in the province and just, come on Medicine Hat, let’s do it.”

You can get more information on the Stampede website or by calling the Stampede office at 403-527-1234.