Grande Prairie will again be represented by royalty across the province as a new Miss Grande Prairie Stompede has been crowned for the first time in seven years.
On Saturday, Olivia MacLennan was named the 2026 Grande Prairie Stompede Queen, adding another title to her growing list of ambassadorial roles in the western sports community.
MacLennan, who previously held the titles of Miss Teepee Creek Stampede and Miss Pinocchio Stampede, earned the crown following a week-long competition that tested contestants in several areas, including public speaking, horsemanship and personal interviews.
She explained the competition officially began months earlier, with participants taking part in community events such as the Grande Prairie Stompede Chuckwagon Tarp Auction and Gala in April and the parade kickoff ahead of this year’s celebration.
For MacLennan, the opportunity represented more than another title. It was a way to continue contributing to the western sports community. She is particularly excited to help rebuild and promote the Grande Prairie Stompede Queen program.
“I absolutely love my other titles, but I was so excited to have you know this Queen program back and to build it up,” MacLennan said. “The northern girls don’t have a ton of idols and and big titles to run for so I think this is a really cool chance to build something up for the girls that have less opportunities here in the north.”
MacLennan has a lifelong love of both rodeo and chuckwagon racing. She has connections to both sports as a barrel racer, while her brother has competed as both a team roper and an outrider in chuckwagon racing.
As a horse trainer, MacLennan has developed an appreciation for the dedication chuckwagon drivers show in preparing their horses for competition. She noted that managing and training even a single off-track thoroughbred can be challenging, making the skill required to handle a full chuckwagon outfit especially impressive.
As she looks ahead to the next year as Miss Grande Prairie Stompede, MacLennan said she is eager to reconnect with people she has met throughout the rodeo and agricultural fair circuit. She also hopes to create new experiences while serving as an ambassador for the Stompede and the western lifestyle it celebrates.
