Wainwright Stampede

Wainwright Stampede Association

The Wainwright Frontier and Exhibition Agricultural Society has had 13 presidents over the past 65 years.

It is a well know fact that without the efforts of many interested and devoted members, non-members, service clubs and our business community, the stampede would never have survived.

February 7th, 1954

Founding Day

Wainwright Frontier Days and Exhibition Association was formed.

February 7th, 1954

1954

Things Come Together

Corrals and chutes, built by hand from poles cut in the coulee, were added; catch pens and arena were laid out and built.

1954

June 24th and 25th, 1954

First Wainwright Stampede

After such a whirlwind begging there was no looking back.

June 24th and 25th, 1954

1955

More Improvements

Outside fences were built and the old curling rink was moved on the grounds. The lobby was taken off and served as the rodeo office and ticket booth and the rest was used for barns.

1955

1956

First Appearance of Buddy Heaton

World famous bullfighter and clown, Buddy always added to the show and his clown acts were a real crowd-pleaser. He was considered the happiest rodeo clown that ever set foot in the arena.

1956

1956

The Search for Water

Two attempts to find water on the grounds failed and water was hauled in tanks until 1968 when town water was available on taps.

1956

1957

New Buildings

The administration building, ticket office and new bleachers were added.

1957

1958

Extensive Repairs

Extensive repairs to the corrals, chutes and grounds. Plus more bleachers were added. 

1958

1960

Large Bleachers

More large bleachers added.

1960

1962

Adjustments Made

The bleachers added in 1960 were moved south of the arena because the association felt that the bleachers were to low and needed to be further back in order for everyone to better see the performances. 

1962

1963

West Bleachers Built

An engineer was hired to draft plans to give the public a better view on the bleachers form the west. Large sections of the present bleachers were built and in 1963 the west bleachers were finished adding 3300 seats bringing the seating capacity to 7000.

1963

1967

Always Improving

The original corrals, chutes and announcers booth were rebuilt.

1967

1968

“Biffys”

In 1968 the “biffys” were replaced with modern washrooms and town water installed.

1968

1972

New Buildings

Rodeo Office and Beer Gardens built.

1972

1973

More

In 1973 even more horse barns were built.

1973

1976

More Room

In 1976 the east side bleachers were taken down and a solid fence built. This allowed more room for contestants who traveled to the event to park their campers and trailers.

1976

1977

Repairs Continue

Updates and repairs to the bleachers continued and a new, secondary, fence on the east side was built.

1977

1980

Steel

Old chutes and pens were torn down and replaced with new steel ones.

1980

1981

More Improvements

A new loud speaker system was installed.

1981

May 12, 1982

3 Days

We expanded to 3 days of action to aim for a family audience.

May 12, 1982

1988

Dream Come True

Completion of the new covered grandstand with a seating capacity of approximately 3500. This new structure is very permanent and was designed so that it can be added onto for years to come.

1988

June 19th, 1996

Joint Venture

In 1996 we began a joint venture with the Elks Club to construct a 15,000 sq. ft. building. The new building serverd to hold many functions associated with the elks club and has served as the rodeo office, public washrooms and ticket booth.

June 19th, 1996

March 9th, 2004

Top Ten

Wainwright Stampede becomes one of the top 10 largest in Canada.

March 9th, 2004

2012

Expansions Continue

Expanded even further to the East parcel.

2012

2013

Let’s Get Lit

Enhanced arena lighting.

2013

2016

Outdoor Fun

Beer garden buildings added.

2016

2019

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What’s next for the Wainwright Stampede?

2019

Our Members

President Murray Bretzer
Vice President Paul Harvey
Stampede Manager Art Melin
Advertising Director Judy Bethune
Secretary Lisa Turzanski
Treasurer Mike Foley
Secretary Treasurer Lorraine Melin​
Directors
Ian Pratt Brian Hills Daryl Atkinson
Merv Grunow Kyle Roberts Lee White
John Kuhnl Shawn Haun Bob Foley
Cayley Harvey Darcy Rutledge

Interested In Becoming A Volunteer?

Great chance to be involved in the community.
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Everything from simple painting to more complex jobs everyone can help.
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Volunteers make everything possible.

New Volunteers Are Always Welcome

The Wainwright Stampede Association is always growing and as a result, there is a higher demand for volunteers each year. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer fill out the form below and we will contact you!