Stampede readies for Indoor Spring Rodeo, which begins Friday
Preparations are well underway for the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s Broncs & Honky Tonks Indoor Spring Rodeo.
“We have the spring rodeo starting Friday, so today (Monday) we’ve been getting things kind of turned around and put into place,” said general manager Ron Edwards. “Today the dirt went in. Last week we pulled out our soccer field and got our bleachers all in place.”
All of the steel does up today, from the panels and pens to the bucking chutes, with the stock arriving Wednesday, all in preparation for slack on Friday.
Things are coming along well, said Edwards, and he’s thankful for the pleasant weather as they get the dirt in. Sales have also gone well this year.
“Our ticket sales are really good, especially for Saturday night. There’s still seats available for Friday and Sunday, though,” said Edwards.
The spring rodeo is staying classic, featuring bareback steer wrestling, team roping, tie down roping, saddle bronc, barrels racing, boys’ steer riding, and bull riding. They are enjoying a strong draw this year, with every event being “very full.”
“That’s why we have a slack in our tiny events Friday morning, because we have 10 to 12 in each event if we can in the evening performances,” said Edwards. “And these are all professional cowboys; we are what they call a dual approved rodeo. We are a CPRA and a PRCA rodeo.”
The energy is high within the organization, as staff and volunteers alike work to put the final finishing touches on the event. With such high buyin from sponsors, rodeo competitors and the public alike, it’s vital to put on the highquality event the Stampede is known for.
The Exhibition & Stampede is grateful to the community for the support, and for the opportunity to draw business into the community as well, said Edwards.
“Our sponsors are great, and we try to look after them. And our participation is good. We do sell out so we’re very much supported by the community. And that’s a great thing,” said Edwards.
Tickets are still available online, or at the Stampede office.