History

In 1919, surveyors began laying out streets for the new town to be called Williams Lake. Ranchers came from all over to mark this great event with a picnic and day of cowboy sports. Throughout the years, as the first hotels, general stores, and residential homes were being built, this casual meeting of cowboy folk, was organized into the official Williams Lake Stampede. For many years it was only a small amateur rodeo; a time to get together with old friends, while having some good old-fashioned fun.
The stampede was suspended temporarly in 1939, because of the outbreak of World War II. After the war, in 1947, the stampede was revived again. Over the next few years, the stampede began to attract alot of attention from around the country. The days of the stampede being an event only for folks of the cariboo were over. Now there are some of the best cowboys and riders from Canada and the United States of America competing annually. The Williams Lake Stampede is now considered a highly professional show, rated only second to the Calgary Stampede.
Relay Race, 1923
Steer Wrestling, 1923
Joan Perry, 1971
Baraback rider, 1964

Back to Main Page