Organizers of the Wood Mountain Stampede — billed as Canada’s oldest rodeo since 1890 — are excited to return with more activities this year after the pandemic reduced the event’s size in 2020.
This year’s event runs from Friday, Aug. 13 to Sunday, Aug. 15 in the scenic and historic Wood Mountain Regional Park, about 70 kilometres southwest of Assiniboia. Admission is $15 per day or $40 for the weekend, while children under age 12 are free.
The schedule for the stampede is still being finalized, but known so far is that CCA Slack kicks off the weekend at 3 p.m. on Aug. 13, followed by a women’s triathlon rodeo — breakaway, barrels, and goat tying — and the Badland Country Band performing in the beer gardens at 9 p.m.
On Aug. 14, team roping jackpot takes place in the afternoon, followed by CCA Rodeo at 5 p.m. and a cabaret at 9 p.m. with Badland Country Band providing the tunes.
On Aug. 15, a Cowboy Church Service occurs at 11 a.m., followed by the CCA Rodeo at 2 p.m. Trick riders will perform stunts and tricks on their horses during the intermission.
“(The stampede is) held every single year. Last year with COVID, we were only able to do a small invitational one — we weren’t able to put on a full stampede,” said group treasurer Tara Labbee. “But this year, now that restrictions are lifted, we can go back to how it’s been for many, many years.
“It’s fantastic. It’s attended by people from many provinces, and it’s a very busy weekend,” she continued. “It’s in the heart of Wood Mountain Regional Park … . We’re looking forward to getting back with everybody and being able to have a great stampede.”
According to the rodeo website, as early as 1890, the North West Mounted Police (NWNP) promoted the “Wood Mountain Sports” to celebrate Dominion Day. They invited local ranchers and cowboys to participate. In the early years, the action consisted of foot races, ball games, and horse races. However, rodeo continued to evolve during this time and it became the natural event to hold at the sports.
The Wood Mountain Turf Club was incorporated as a non-profit company in 1925. The club’s purpose was to conduct sports of all kinds such as rodeo, horse racing and ball games. The club obtained a lease on the same site where the arena is now located. The club also added a grandstand and stables to the buildings on site, such as bucking chutes, race track, ball diamonds and bowery.
Under the direction of the Turf Club, Wood Mountain Sports became one of the main attractions in southern Saskatchewan. Crowds of 15,000 people were reported. The convenience of the automobile contributed to the high attendance. Campers stayed for a week while a circle of cars outlined the racetrack.
More information can be found at https://woodmountainstampede.com or on Facebook.
