Rawhide Rodeo: Wetaskiwin Alberta

We love a good rodeo and were not disappointed in the Rawhide Rodeo in Wetaskiwin Alberta. A bit about the host community and the rodeo in images.

In 1892 the city of Wetaskiwin, Alberta Canada, was established by a group of Scandinavian immigrants. The city is located 70 kilometers (43 mi) south of the provincial capital of Edmonton. The city name comes from the Cree word wītaskiwinihk, meaning “the hills where peace was made”. Wetaskiwin was once the site of a battle between the Cree and the Blackfoot. In 1890, when the Calgary and Edmonton railway was built, it became a whistle-stop, and was known as Siding 16. In 1892, when the area was surveyed, it was named Wetaskiwin to commemorate the battle. In 1900, a Baptist church was organized. One year later, the village, with a population of more than 500, and was officially incorporated.

If you’re in the area Wetaskiwin is home to the Reynolds Alberta, a museum dedicated to celebrating “the spirit of the machine” as well as the Wetaskiwin Heritage Museum, which documents the pioneer arrival and lifestyle in Wetaskiwin’s early years. Southeast of Wetaskiwin, the Alberta Central Railway Museum, acknowledges the impact that the railway had on central Alberta.

Wetaskiwin sits on what was formerly the coast of the large sea that covered much of Alberta millions of years ago. The northwest end of Wetaskiwin is characterized by hills with sandy soil (formerly sand dunes), while the southeast end of the city is very flat with more silty soil.

The city lies at an elevation of 760 m (2,490 ft). Coal Lake, a reservoir developed on the Battle River is located immediately east of the city, and other nearby waterways include Pipestone Creek, Bigstone Creek, Bittern Lake and Bearhills Lake.

Enough already about Wetaskiwin, “Let’s Rodeo”, the main attraction for me was the Wetaskiwin Agricultural Society’s Rawhide Rodeo. As those who know us know Charlotte and I have photographed many rodeos over the years. A few of those years travelling the Canadian Cowboys circuit every weekend in one of our many truck campers.

This rodeo I must say impressed me, the contestants and rodeo stock we all local residents of the area, totally showcasing their western lifestyle. Some highlights each day included concessions, wild pony race, sheep riding, beer gardens, kids’ money pit, food trucks and theMini Chuckwagons are back as well!  We were there for their 25^th annual Rawhide Rodeo in June and I was impressed with how they were introducing the younger generation to the sport of rodeo and the western lifestyle.

On the main rodeo circuits, the seasoned competitors are the main event, but this rodeo was truly family-friendly featuring some very young up and coming rodeo stars as well as some excellent veteran cowboys and cowgirl performances in all the regular rodeo events.

The Mini Chuckwagons were a hit and a first for myself, a great performance put on by Wynnies Minnies Chuck Wagon Racing. A great group who love what they do. I thank Dion Lees and Wynn Schram for taking the time to answer all my questions.

Another feature I found different and again involved the youth was “Payce the Pick-Up Man and his Schwab Pick Up Chicks”. Anyone that knows rodeo knows just how important good pick-up men are to a rodeo and the contestants, well here at Wetaskiwin they start training them young. They were also excellent young marketers working the crowd during the rodeo when they were not picking up, to autograph a sheet with their photographs and names on. Payce, Brin, Aubrin and Kitt – watch out for these youngsters they are going places one day, perhaps the National Finals Rodeo. Well done.

If you’re in the Wetaskiwin area around June 12^th to 14^th this summer you may want to experience the 26^th annual Rawhide Rodeo for yourself, great fun and free camping right on the grounds. Below a chile supper at the rodeo grounds.

The beauty of a truck camper when you park it, you’re home but it’s also easy to move. Note we found a quiet spot on the grounds along a nice tree line not too far from 3 other trailers, well that was Friday night and before we knew it the area was full of cars and it was party central for the locals. Big speakers were hauled out and the party was going to get in full gear right after the rodeo. Within minutes we were packed up and moving across the large field parking lot to a much more secluded area, the beauty of a truck camper. We stayed the whole weekend and thank the Wetaskiwin Agricultural Society for their hospitality.

Thanks for getting this far into my ramblings and hope you enjoyed some of the images, our next stop is another first for us, Waterton National Park. Wow did we enjoy this place. More on that in my next post. If you want notification by email you can subscribe, don’t worry I will not be sending you a lot of marketing emails, I do this for the fun of it and to promote truck camper living and travel. I just hope I have provided a little information on a place to visit in your travels.

We hope to meet you along the road.

Gerry and Charlotte

“The Slow Roaming Nomads”