Skip to content

Taylor: Taking time to enjoy summer, and area rodeos

MLA Wes Taylor enjoyed a fun time at the RCMP dunk tank in Wainwright
12454553_web1_170621-BAS-column-wes-taylor-mug_1

Wes Taylor

MLA Battle River-Wainwright

Its summer time again; and for that we say “Thank God”.

This has been a long, and hard, winter. It has the conspicuous honour of breaking the record for the most consecutive days at or below zero degrees.

It was a great feeling to pull out the BBQ again and to see and hear the sure signs of summer all over our province. The summer has provided the chance to take simple pleasures such as outdoor walks, smelling flowers and, a pet favourite of mine, the smell of a fresh cut lawn.

Chores and tasks that have been backing up have now been able to happen. For homeowners that means upkeep on the yard, for our Towns and Municipalities a chance to repair roads and start new construction. For farmers and ranchers the planting crops or calving plus the never ending maintenance of the farm or ranch.

As spring becomes summer we can look forward to one of my favorite activities, yes it’s Rodeo time again. Not only is this a chance to see great skill and derring-do on display but also a time to say thank-you to all the farmers and ranchers. Let’s never forget these are the people who made this province what it is today.

The Killam Rodeo and Wainwright Rodeo just completed. In addition to these, we can look forward to the Bruce Stampede and the Czar, Edgerton and Kinsella Bullaramas.

Just a side note; although the Wainwright Stampede is now in its 65th year it pales by comparison in its venerability to the Bruce Stampede which, at 105 years old, is one of Canada’s originals.

On the Saturday of the Wainwright Rodeo was an impressive parade with a variety of large and small floats. In the week leading up to the rodeo there were numerous pancake breakfasts and on Wednesday, June 20th the Downtown Stampede Kick-off Party. I volunteered to be in the RCMP dunk tank on that afternoon from 5:40 to 6 p.m., all proceeds go to Victim Services.

All this before we got to the rodeo itself with the barrel riding, bucking broncos, steer wrestling, bull riding and mutton busting, capped off with chuck wagon races and the battle for the buckle. And, for those seeking more thrills and spills this might be found at the post rodeo dance and cabaret!

Let us not forget though that all of this is really a tribute to the founding families who came here to work and play while simultaneously carving out a home on the land.

My hats off to all the farmers and ranchers that have made this an integral part of Canadian history and have added so much fun and flair to our communities.