On March 23rd, Grande Prairie chuckwagon drivers Dean and Tuff Dreger took part in the North American Chuckwagon Championship tarp sale, where they sold within the top 20 of the drivers in attendance. Dean Dreger sold for $16,000 to Northern Matt & Bridge, while the younger Dreger went for $19,000 to Pomeroy Lodging for the nine-day show in Lloydminster at the beginning of July.
The younger Dreger says he is grateful for the continued support he has received from the hospitality company, which has been on his tarp at some point in time every season since he started. However, the young driver says the turnout he saw at the Lloydminster tarp sale was encouraging as the Grande Prairie Stompede Gala and Tarp Sale, happening on April 1st, is fast approaching.
“It’s not just a tarp sale either, there’s a silent auction, there’s a dance with a good live band, and a good dinner,” Dreger says. “It’s probably one of the best functions going on right now, and the Stompede is working on making it the best show you can possibly be at for a wagon driver.”
This is the second year the Stompede is holding the event, which not only sees the tarps being sold of the World Professional Chuckwagon drivers and permit drivers hitting the track at the end of May but is also a fundraiser for local not-for-profits and initiatives. Last year’s funds raised went to supporting the Tiny Hands of Hope and Compassionate Friends Children’s Memorial Garden in Maskwôtêh Park. This year funds raised will go towards UNBRIDLED, a youth trauma program which uses horses to help work on and develop coping skills.
The younger Dreger explains the Grande Prairie event is a special one for him because not only did he grow up in the community, but also his family has been a large part of the chuckwagon community in the Peace Country. Dreger explains his grandfather Kelly Sutherland played a vital part in putting Grande Prairie on the wagon map for wagon racing.
“Its an amazing community, there is so much support through out and we couldn’t do it without them. It was an honor to grow up in it and I’m looking forward to staying with it.”
More information and tickets for the April 1st event can be found here.