The 2018 Stompede festivities kicked off Tuesday with a barbecue and a parade through downtown.
The Bust Out barbecue was also the opportunity for the Stompede to officially name their Stomper of the Year. It went to board member Cheryl Kimble who was credited with playing a major part in the event. The also named the 2018 Wagonmaster at the barbecue. That went to longtime Peace region resident Jim Brown.
Stompede President Trevor Denis is ready for things to get underway and he says the weather has been cooperating with them.
“Everything is coming together nicely. We’ve got a heck of a team to work with so we’re looking forward to putting a show.”
This year sees the addition of an Arts and Culture Expo. Denis says much of the work has been done by Stomper of the Year Cheryl Kimble.
“It just goes to show you what everybody is doing around there, so I’m pretty happy and excited about that.”
“We also have the mounted shooters this year,” Denis continued, “[we’re] looking forward to having them, it’s a new event for us at Stompede. Our infield has had a little bit of a face-lift. We hope everybody enjoys that as well.”
The Mounted Shooters Show put on by the Alberta Mounted Shooters Association will go at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. They describe mounted shooting as the riding of a horse while balloon targets are shot with black powder blank ammunition.
The fair, rodeo and chucks will all get underway Wednesday at Evergreen Park. The Stompede Queen will be crowned Friday afternoon during the rodeo.