Rodeo action from a past Grande Prairie Stompede. Photo courtesy Curtis Galbraith/EverythingGP

By Jeff Henson

STOMPEDE

Stompede returns after two year hiatus

May 24, 2022 | 12:03 PM

We have been waiting since the end of their 2019 show to say this, but Stompede is officially back.

Activities at Evergreen Park begin on Wednesday, but Stompede Association president Trevor Denis says two events will kick off the week-long festivities on Tuesday.

“The Bust-out Barbecue is our kick-off to Stompede. It will be hosted in the parking lot of Bonnett’s Energy Centre. And then, later on, is our parade, which is going to be downtown. We are looking forward to everybody coming out for that as well.”

The parade begins at 6 pm at the corner of 102nd Street and 101st avenue, and will make its way eastbound along 101st avenue, eventually ending at 98th street near the Aberdeen Centre.

Stompede was cancelled the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Denis says they are excited to be back.

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“We have been planning since pre-COVID, and now since that is over, we get to host a show. Our committee is absolutely ecstatic about it.”

“The interest from the community is unbelievable through sponsorship and inquiries. It has been really nice to see.”

This year’s show will once again be highlighted by rodeo action and chuckwagon racing. The rodeo slack competition goes Wednesday afternoon, with regular rodeo events starting Thursday afternoon and running through to Sunday.

This year, the World Professional Chuckwagon Association and the All-Pro Chuckwagon circuit will provide the nightly races from Wednesday right through to Sunday’s Dash for Cash races.

Also back at Evergreen Park this year is the midway, which will be operating starting at 5 pm on Thursday, and at 1 p from Friday to Sunday.

Denis says there is one new wrinkle to this year’s show.

“There will be a dance in the dirt on Thursday night, right after the wagon show. It is free right after he wagons and we are looking forward to everybody coming down and enjoying it and dancing in the dirt in the infield.”

The beer gardens in the TARA centre will feature Gord Bamford on Friday night and the Roadhammers on Saturday, with Third Degree Birns out of Saskatchewan acting as the house band both nights.

Denis says the community has always rallied around the event, and this year is no different.

“The community owns this event. We as the Stompede committee just happen to be guiding it along. Everybody has rallied behind it as far as sponsorships. A lot of volunteers, a lot of user groups. It takes a village to make this happen.”

Denis is optimistic that they will have a great show this year.

“I believe that with the interest from the community and with everybody wanting to get out and see people that they have not seen in a long time, we do have high expectations.”

“Hopefully Mother Nature cooperates and we will have a heck of a show!”