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Ag society bringing rodeo week back to Cold Lake

The Cold Lake Agricultural Society (CLAS) is hoping to bring the spirit of the Wild West back to the city.
Rodeo week runs from May 30 to June 5
Rodeo week runs from May 30 to June 5

The Cold Lake Agricultural Society (CLAS) is hoping to bring the spirit of the Wild West back to the city.

A blast from the past for long-time locals, the ag society is looking back at the 1980s and '90s as they prepare to once again celebrate rodeo week.

"We used to see that during rodeo week there were business promotions and a lot of businesses dressed up. It was a fairly big event for the town," said organizer Ray Gillis of the CLAS. "We're trying to bring back a little bit of that type of atmosphere in the city; make it more than just the rodeo weekend, make it a rodeo week."

Traditionally, rodeo week has been celebrated in the week prior to the Cold Lake Stampede. Leading up to their 48th stampede, Gillis has organized a competition in an attempt to revive community interest, while helping out businesses at the same time.

For the week of May 30, businesses in Cold Lake can sign up to be judged by the ag society for their western spirit.

"When we go to our annual conference we network with other communities and we've seen what some communities, even smaller than Cold Lake, have done in regards to bringing out people and making it an event for the whole town," explained Gillis.

The rodeo week competition will see local businesses judged in three categories: having staff dressed up in western attire, holding a rodeo-themed sale or promotion, and decorating the business or storefront with a western look. During rodeo week, businesses will be judged, with the first place winning $300.

So far, there are around five businesses who have officially registered for the competition, including the Lakeland Credit Union and Original Joe's. While he's expecting they will have a couple dozen businesses signup, Gillis said even if a business forgets to register, that won't stop him from judging it.

"If I walk the streets and see a business who has done the western theme but hasn't contacted me, we're still going to get them in there too."

Gillis approached the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce regarding his plans, where he was met with enthusiasm.

"I would have been pretty young, but most of the businesses on main street use to dress up their storefronts and themselves. It was always linked with the (stampede)," reminisced Trevor Benoit, chamber president.

Benoit added, "Agriculture is a huge part of our area. Everybody seems to only talk about oil, but ag is huge. We've always been a farming community as well."

In addition to bringing the community together in anticipation for the stampede, rodeo week has the possibility of bringing a much-needed economic boost to the city's businesses.

"I don't think the timing could have been better. Spending is down, people are getting used to the new normal," expressed Benoit, adding that such an event gives people a reason to spend a little extra. "It's nothing but a good thing for local businesses. It's another reason for a sale, it's another thing that gets people down on the main street and around the community."

Rodeo week will run from May 30 to June 5, with the three-day Cold Lake Stampede kicking off June 3. To show appreciation for the community support they've received over the years, and to make it easier for families to enjoy a weekend despite economic hardships, the CLAS has decided to offer free entry for chuckwagon and rodeo events.

To wrap up rodeo week, on the Sunday (June 5) people from across Alberta will be competing in the third annual horseshoe tournament prior to the final stampede events.

Ultimately, Gillis would like to see rodeo week take-off and become an annual occurrence in Cold Lake.

"I would like to bring back the rodeo parade. Kids love a parade. You see in the winter when they do the Santa Claus parade on main street, there's thousands that come out. We could build on that type of atmosphere for the rodeo week."

For more information on the rodeo week business competition, or to register for judging, contact Gillis at 780-639-2409 or [email protected].

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