The 88th annual Williams Lake Stampede is going down in the record books as another exciting and successful year.
According to Stampede president Fred Thomas, attendance records were broken with 16,451 rodeo fans attending the five rodeo performances. A pay out of $160,000 was also doled out to the top rodeo competitors.
“I think it went great,” Thomas said.
“People were very impressed with the changes to the grounds, the addition of the cowgirl race and motocross show and the (rodeo) competition this year was also very good. It all added up to a great weekend.”
Thomas said almost 1,000 people turned out Saturday evening to sellout the new and improved Let R’ Buck Saloon, and concessions also did very well throughout the weekend.
It takes a dedicated team of 200 volunteers and 18 board of directors to put on the Stampede every year.
Thomas said all positive comments they have received are very rewarding, and directors are already starting plans for next year, including the re-signing of the popular freestyle motocross show Global FMX.
- Photos by Greg Sabatino, Monica Lamb-Yorski and Angie Mindus