NORTHERN ALBERTA COMMUNITIES SET TO HOST RODEOS
July 24 , 2009

Last year, more than 3,000 spectators took in the Field of Dreams Stampede in La Crete, Alta., and Jake Wiebe is counting on a similar number at this year’s two-day professional rodeo.

“It’s not a very big place,” Wiebe says of the northern Alberta community, “but everybody shows up.”

Wiebe is the president of the La Crete Rodeo Club and deep in the throws of last minute adjustments before the rodeo gets going on July 27.

“We’re adding a couple more gates in the alleys, which they’re still working on. We’re building new stairs for that announcers’ shack, and then, right across the alleys, we’re putting in stairs up and down the other side, steel ones,” he says.

According to Wiebe, anyone who enjoys a good rodeo would do well to head north for the Stampede.

“We’ve got some pretty good stock and contestants coming, so I think it’d be worth their while,” he says with a smile.

“And, it sounds like the weather is going to be awesome,” he continues. “Right now it sounds that way. It is fairly warm now, but it’ll be okay. I’d rather have this than rain.”

The weather is supposed to be fine in High Prairie, Alta. too, where the Elks Pro Rodeo kicks off July 28 at the Elks Stampede Grounds at 3 p.m. and runs through July 29. The event includes two performances each in the six major rodeo events, team roping, novice saddle bronc and novice bareback, so you won’t wan to miss any of the action!