Hooves pounding, hats flying action gets underway in Morris

As the first pancakes get served in Morris on Friday morning, the 60th Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition will be underway.

The three-day event is the only one in Manitoba that’s considered a pro-rodeo event on the Canadian tour circuit, attracting many of the same bull riders, bronc busters and professionals in tie down roping, bareback riding and steer wrestling that hit events such as the Calgary Stampede.

Valley Agricultural Society president Mike Bellisle was helping with the finishing touches on Tuesday, as he reflected on the event.

While they aren’t putting big emphasis on their 60th anniversary, the board is proud of the longevity of the events.

He said since they changed from a four-day event prior to COVID to a three-day event after, they’ve seen larger crowds.

With a grandstand that holds close to 7,000 people, last year’s event saw about 38,000 people come through the gates over the three days.

“It has really grown quite nicely since the dark years of COVID,” he said.

Part of that he attributes to people realizing how much they wanted community festivals, rodeos and events when they were no longer possible.

“Sometimes you never know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” he said. “We did things we needed to do to come through and thrive and I think it was just a much needed reset for the stampede, and for sure a lot of people reengaged and said, ‘We’re missing a real gem here,’ and it’s been wonderful.”

It takes about 150 volunteers to pull off the event, and Bellisle said they’re happy to see younger people sign up.

“That’s how we know we’re connecting more and more with the local community,” he said.

Rodeo events including the pony chuckwagons and chariots continue to draw big crowds but so does components of the Ag Fair such as gymkhana, team penning, and mounted shooting.

A First Nations Pavilion, midway, a wide variety of entertainment and kid’s zone also keep families coming out for more.

“There’s something for everybody,” Bellisle said.

This year’s evening stage entertainment includes Nelson Little on Friday and Saturday evening. He opens for Prairie Line on Friday and The Sean Taylor Band on Saturday night.

The Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition runs July 18-20 in Morris. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at manitobastampede.ca.