By Stampede Queen
Michelle Ball
Stampede Princess Matina Durfeld and I just returned from an invitation to the Calgary Stampede.
More than 18 royalty were guests for a full week at Calgary’s “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”
It was an exciting and action packed week.
Matina and I were thrilled to be invited to tour the set of Heartland and meet with the owner John Scott on our very first day in Calgary.
Later that day, we visited the Roper, Stetson, and Tin Haul warehouse where we met Jim Nevada.
He briefly gave us a history in his family’s involvement in the business and sponsored us with three shirts, a pair of jeans and boots and a Stetson travel bag!
Thank you Jim, we enjoyed our afternoon and your support and well wishes for our reign. It is greatly appreciated.
That evening we attended a meet and greet with all the visiting royalty where we met the 2014 Calgary Stampede Queen and Princesses.
Many of the ladies were from all across Alberta; others were from Spokane, Wa., Illinois, Iowa and Miss Rodeo Queen of Australia.
We were the only royalty from B.C.
I have to say we felt a little bit special!
On Friday morning, Matina and I had the privilege of riding horses from Heartland in the Calgary parade.
We attended the Stampede performances, the chuck wagon races and spent one morning enjoying the Gitty up Grits pancake breakfast and fair with some very special disabled children and their families.
We smiled and laughed so much my cheeks hurt!
We were able to take in most of the events and exhibits held at Stampede Park.
We would like to thank the Calgary Stampede Queens Alumni for extending this invitation to us and the Country Inn and Suites for being the host hotel to all the visiting royalty and their guests.
The volunteers and co-ordinators work extremely hard to make this event a memorable experience for all who attend.
Thanks to Penny Stavast and Alexis Forseille for being our chaperones, the Williams Lake Stampede and the City of Williams Lake for their support and sponsorship, and Jamie Tanis for organizing our week of expeditions.
It has been an exciting start to our reign and we are looking forward to our rodeo travel schedule.