With fine weather predicted and a wealth of activities to go along with the World Famous Williams Lake Stampede, there is lots to keep people happy right in Williams Lake all weekend long.
The extracurricular rodeo fun begins tonight with entertainment on the Let R Buck stage behind the Stampede Grandstand with dancing to the tunes of Ken McCoy and his band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. after the evening rodeo.
New to the Stampede this year the Potato House Society is hosting a Ravishing Roots Ball tonight at the Elks Hall with Bottoms Up Burlesque and live music by Demon Squadron.
Saturday morning the fun starts all over again.
From the Daybreak Rotary Stampede Parade starting at 10 a.m. to the Stampede Street Party from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with music, vendors, children’s games and more; to a free Protein for People barbecue and children’s activities in Boitanio Park from noon to 4 p.m. there will be all kinds of music, activities for children, craft and food vendors, and more.
Saturday afternoon right after the Parade the Potato House Society is hosting a backyard speakeasy at the Potato House on Borland Street with music by MNGWA, Scott Dunbar, Drum and Bell Tower, Flannel Roots and other popular local entertainers.
The Stampede entertainment continues in the Let R Buck Saloon right after the rodeo Saturday at 5 p.m. with Clancy Wright and the Silverados, then from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday with Ken McCoy and Savage West.
Sunday evening after the rodeo the music and dancing resumes at the Let R Buck with Clancy Wright and the Silverados on stage at 5 p.m. and Ken McCoy and Savage West rocking the dance floor again from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.
Grabbing a bite on the run in the sunshine or shade will be no problem all weekend. There will be numerous food vendors set up on Oliver Street for the Street Party and several tried and true indoor and outdoor community breakfasts, dinners and concessions taking place around the city.
The Stampede concession behind the bucking chutes in the infield will be operating every day of the rodeo starting today and right through the final day of rodeo action on Monday.
The legion will be serving breakfast between 8:30 a.m. and noon each rodeo day and steak dinners from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday and a beef-dip dinner at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The Knights of Columbus will be cooking breakfasts in the Save-On-Foods parking lot from 7 to 11:30 a.m. all four days of the rodeo.
The Rotary Club will also be cooking outdoor breakfasts in the parking lot behind Lake City Ford from 7 to 11 a.m. all four rodeo mornings and have its Steak Night grill team delivering sizzling dinners from 4:30 to 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday and Sunday.
Behind the Stampede grandstand there will be more food vendors and lots of vendors selling various souvenirs, crafts and the essential cowboy hats, belts, buckles, First Nations crafts and more, along with family activities.
Look for the Firefighters beef-on-a-bun and Knights of Columbus concessions behind the Stampede Grandstand.