Cariboo Chilcotin
Jesse Madden Photography 64
S N O W B I
R D S
&
R V T R A V E L E R S
STAMPEDE TIME!
by Darci Friesen & Dean Unger
The Williams Lake Stampede, taking place this year June 29-July 2 of 2012, was originally conceived in 1919 when a group of cowboys put on a `Wild West’ show for passengers on trains stopped over at the station in Williams Lake. After the show the entertainers would pass around a hat to collect donations from adoring fans. The first official Williams Lake
Stampede took place the following year, and people trekked from miles around to take part in the revelry. Spectators and participants alike came to camp and compete; to visit and dance; to gamble and party - it was a major social event for the entire Cariboo area. When the show was in full force, the surrounding
countryside would come to a standstill: It was Stampede time! As the rodeo’s popularity grew, local businessmen and merchants embraced the opportunity to wholeheartedly support the event. Williams Lake was booming, and so was business! From farmers to fishermen,
cowboys to Christians, locals to loggers – all were drawn in - including the First Nations peoples of the Cariboo. In the early years, the primary means of travel was by horse-drawn wagon or saddle horse as very few country folk owned automobiles. Since then the years have borne witness to many changes – a flux in population, booming industry, advances in transportation... But still one thing remains a constant: the Williams Lake Stampede is a gathering place where good times, excellent entertainment and a sterling quality
of world-class riding, roping and rustling is the rule, not the exception. Offering the exhilarating
experiences that only a good traditional cowboy rodeo can, the Williams Lake Stampede brings it all: barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, range challenge, bareback, tie-down roping, team roping, mountain races, wild horse
races...and much much more. With musical entertainment, barn dances, beer gardens, family fun, kids nights and a dinner and auctions - to mention just a few, this event is much more than just somewhere to go – it’s where you need to be. Stampede Park is home to
a large campground that has undergone a major renovation project. It
features nine newer pull-
through sites with 50 amp service, nineteen additional fully serviced
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