Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede successfully ‘rides again’

Final attendance numbers won’t be available until later in the week, but anecdotal feedback shows Hatters embraced the event’s return, coming out in high numbers.

“Everything I’ve heard from our midway operators to our vendors has been that they are all up compared to normal,” said Edwards.

Those numbers are up despite a heat warning being in effect for much of the week. Daily highs ranged from 27 to 37 degrees Celsius during the Stampede.

“Medicine hat is known for being hot, and those people come whether it’s hot or not,” Edwards said.

The Stampede has a Risk Management team to keep people on the grounds safe. There were a couple of heat exhaustion related instances, but paramedics on scene were able to handle them.

Edwards says seeing everyone return to the grounds for all the Stampede’s events is exactly what he was hoping for the event’s return.

“They just want to be out there having a great time,” said Edwards. “Seeing the kids hooting and hollering and having fun, that’s what it’s all about and it’s so good to see finally.”

Edwards says the event wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the large team of staff and volunteers that put it together.

“Our staff is just going full out,” said Edwards. “As you know, we’re a little shorted staffed right now, but the ones we have are going full out.”

For him, seeing the community step up is part of this year’s success. Edwards says the support from citizens, sponsors and volunteers has been exceptional.

“It takes a whole bunch of people to make a big success, and that’s what we are.”

by Meghan Cobb

Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede successfully ‘rides again’

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