Five Directors were on hand from the Williams Lake Stampede Association to accept a very prestigious honor.
Earlier this month the Canadian Professional Cowboy Association ( CPRA) presented them with the “Rodeo of the Year Award”.
President of the Williams Lake Stampede, Court Smith, said this is actually the first year they awarded it in that fashion.
“Years past it use to be called the Committee Man of the Year but they changed it because it was specific to one person. We were honored and surprised to have received it and it’s wonderful that they recognized the changes that we made over the last few years here in Williams Lake.”
Rodeo of the Year Award is a Canada-wide award and there were seven other nominations in the running to win it.
“There’s a Board on the CPRA that reviews the nominees and we were the one that was chosen this year,” Smith said, “they have a criteria that they’re looking for, and I reviewed that criteria just the other day, and I said yep, Williams Lake hit all of those. They were looking at spectator interaction, growth, changes, which we’ve done all of those things.”
One of those changes the Williams Lake Stampede Association introduced to this past rodeo event was the installation of big screen tv’s in the Let Er Buck Saloon so fans could watch the action.
“That was really well received,” Smith said, “and we’re certainly planning to do that again next year.” It gives those spectators that perhaps either don’t want to or were unable to get a ticket into the main grandstand it gives them another venue to watch the rodeo in kind of a an outdoor atmosphere.”
And though it’s just past the middle of October, the Williams Lake Stampede Association has begun working on next year’s event.
“I always say this is a 12-month of the year operation. We had our monthly meeting just recently, we’re sorting out our portfolios, we’re organizing for the 2026 Stampede, and I’m really happy and impressed with our volunteer Directors that have stepped up and they are all excited to make things as good or better than they were in 2025.”
Smith noted that entertainment is becoming a bigger piece of their Stampede event and there will be other things they’ll be looking at in terms of providing a great spectator experience.
“Without the volunteers and the sponsorship that we get to put on this event, we couldn’t do it. I’m always amazed at the community’s support that we get and we hope that we provide what the community is looking for and hoping for. We’re always open to hearing the community’s wishes and desires and trying to make it as good as we can for everybody.”
Smith said the Rodeo of the Year Award is reflective of our sponsorship, our volunteers, the City of Williams Lake and the residents, they were all a part of this.
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