Editor:
Thank you to Fred Thomas and the Williams Lake Stampede directors and Lifetime Pass Committee.
It was a great honour for us to receive the 2011 Williams Lake Stampede lifetime passes.
We were very surprised and humbled when we learned that we were to receive this award. Thank you so very much.
As volunteers, you never really strive to achieve something like this and don’t even really think about it. You just work hard toward a common goal, which is to help bring to our community something that is part of our history in Williams Lake, and is great for everyone to enjoy.
We feel good when we look back at all the improvements that we’ve been a small part of, including the upgrades of the grandstand, the infield concession and office, the campground, the Let ‘R Buck Saloon and karaoke, washroom additions and upgrades, fencing, painting, and many more improvements too numerous to mention.
We both get much pleasure out of seeing the fruits of all the volunteer labour over the years.
From the time we started volunteering at the Williams Lake Stampede Association, it has gone from a group that was in considerable financial problems, and had even come close to having to cancel the whole thing one year, to slowly bringing things under control with the leadership of past presidents and Fred Thomas.
It has improved so much over the years that a person forgets how much has been done along the way. The grounds, campsite, and grandstand are an enormous facility and it is a huge operation to manage and maintain.
It is a year-round job that is all done by volunteers.
This group has come a long way to making this one of the best organized rodeos in the country and we are proud to have been a part of it along the way.
The community should be proud of each and every one of the people involved.
Congratulations to Fred and his team of directors and volunteers for their tireless efforts and hard work putting on another successful Stampede this year.
With our best regards,
Lorrie and Rick Rhodes
Tyee Lake