Downtown busy with Stampede

Team Inside the Inferno stir their pot of chili during the chili cook-out contest last Wednesday at the Downtown Stampede event. From left are Shane Mascarin with his daughter Jessi, 5, and D’Arcy McDonald.The streets were bustling with activity last Wednesday evening as hundreds flocked to Main Street during the Downtown Stampede event. 

Peggy Gordon, executive director with the Wainwright and District Chamber of Commerce, said they were pleased with the downtown event. 

“We had some amazing help from different groups in the community,” she explained.

Along with the chamber, others that were instrumental in providing some of the activities include the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), ParentLink, Trendy Kutz and friends and Lacrosse. 

Gordon said a number of other organizations and businesses also had a presence at the event.

She said that with the success of this year’s downtown festivities, she would like to see it continue. 

“Pending enough volunteer support, we would like to see it come back again next year.”

She added that the event would not have been possible without the support they received from the volunteers and sponsors. 

Gordon said they can always use more volunteers for events like these.

Some of the activities offered during the evening included the Chili Cook-off, Celebrity Pie Auction, Bartender Races, a dunk tank and more. 

Gordon said they had around five teams enter the Bartender Races and seven teams for the Chili Cook-off. 

The top three winners included Dead Cat Chili winning first, Community Health Services — Full of Beans receiving second and Redneck Women and The Cowboys getting third. 

Also receiving recognition were the Wainwright Credit Union Chili Reserves for being the most enthusiastic and best dressed team. 

Dana Smith, program manager with the MFRC, said they raised approximately $3,000 at this year’s Celebrity Pie Auction. 

Proceeds will go back into the programs and services at the MFRC. 

“Last year we raised just over $1,000. The attendance was so much better last night,” she said the following day. 

This year’s auction featured 24 local and area celebrities. Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths received the highest bid of $450. 

Smith said it was a lot of fun to be a part of the festivities and the MFRC would love to be involved with future Downtown Stampede events.

“It was a really wonderful way to kick off Stampede with a bang,” noted Smith.

Kari Aykroyd, program manager with ParentLink, said the activities their organization had set up seemed to be a hit with the kids. 

“Definitely the face painting was very popular,” she noted.

She said in the future, they would like to improve on certain areas. 

Park Hotel’s Megan LaChance deft footwork couldn’t help her crew during the bartender races at the Downtown Stampede event last Wednesday. Her team was narrowly beat out by JD’s.One of these would be to have entertainment for the children while they are waiting to have their faces painted.  In addition to the face painting, ParentLink also had dummy roping, bullfighter Scott Byrne signing autographs, a lemonade stand and more. At the lemonade stand alone, they poured over 300 cups. 

Trendy Kutz and friends also offered a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. 

Some of these included a bean bag and ring toss, hockey shootout, craft table, potato sac and three legged races, a dunk tank, a bouncy tent and glitter tattoos to name a few.  

Michelle Dodd of Trendy Kutz said during the event they raised $250 for the Wainwright Gymnastics Club and $250 for the Rotary Water Park. 

In addition, the dunk tank raised just under $500 which will also go towards a worthy group or cause. 

She noted that the volunteer effort at the booths was outstanding and that everyone seemed to have a good time. 

“It was a lot of fun,” Dodd added. 

Wainwright resident Irene Mailloux said she was glad to see such a good turnout downtown, especially at the Chili Cook-off, which in the past used to be put on by the Boys and Girls Club. 

She noted that it was nice to see the downtown festivities back for Stampede week again.

“It really seems to be revitalized,” added Mailloux. “I haven’t seen this much activity on Main Street in a few years.”

Wainwright’s Allison Konkin said she would like to see the Downtown Stampede events continue in the community. 

“It’s nice to see everybody together,” she added. 

Jonetta and John Kiessling, who came out for the celebrations, said it is a great family event to be a part of. 

“There’s a little something for everyone,” Jonetta said.