The 103rd edition of the Dawson Creek Exhibition and Stampede gets underway on Wednesday. The five-day event will feature an agriculture fair, both pro and junior rodeo, and a full exhibition.
On opening day, junior cowboys and cowgirls kicked things off with the junior rodeo. Young riders traveled across the Peace Country with their families to participate in the competition.
Jim Sodergran came from Fort St. John to cheer on his two great-grandkids, Nevada and Cade. “This is our first group of great grandkids competing in rodeo, and they’re really competing!” he said.
Sodergran said he used to compete in the Dawson Creek rodeo himself for seven years when it was still an amateur tournament. He added he’s very proud to see his great-grandchildren participate in the same rodeo years later, and close to home.
“At our age, we’re very proud that we can still travel to the different events and see our great grabdkids competing,” Sodergran said.
The same excitement was shared by junior riders. “Having a rodeo close to home is amazing,” said Kali Schornrufer, a junior rider from Beaverlodge.
Schornrufer said it’s the attention to detail that makes the exhibition stand out. She called the venue “an amazing place overall,” praising the top-quality patterns and well-maintained grounds.
Exhibition organizers said this year’s event will be the best in history. Murray Pratt, Exhibition President, said rodeo fans will get a show on par with the famous Calgary Stampede.
The “Greatest Show in the Peace” features the All Pro Canadian Chuckwagons, starting at 5:30 pm each day from Wednesday to Sunday.
There will also be a full lineup of entertainment daily, including live music and food vendors.
Duane Kesler, the stock contractor for the exhibition said, “the best lineup of professional cowboys in Canada and the United States is going to be here this week.” He explained the professional rodeo starts Friday with the slack, and Pro Cowboys like Dawson Hay, Logan Hay, and Zeke Thurston will perform over the weekend.
Kesler said a large percentage of riders are part of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and follow the rodeo circuit. He added that the event features some of the best livestock available, which plays a big role in attracting top contestant.
“It’s a real feather in our hat to watched it start were it started and grow to where it is today,” said Kesler. He added the Dawson Creek rodeo receives the proper sponsorship from both the local community and the country, which helps it continue to grow and reach new heights.
Although this year’s exhibition will not feature a relay race or fireworks, Pratt said organizers are still expecting close to 30,000 people to visit the grounds.
If you plan to attend, a five-day all-event pass costs $200 for adults and $80 for kids of ages 7 to 12. Different packages are also offered for specific events, or for the fair only. Tickets can be purchased on the Dawson Creek Exhibition website.