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Williams Lake Stampede
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Williams Lake Stampede
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Williams Lake Stampede
The campground offers 28 sites.
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Williams Lake Stampede
Stampede Campground's renovated washroom facility with handicapped shower and full laundry facilities.
Submitted
The Williams Lake Stampede, taking place from June 29 to July 2, 2018, was originally conceived in 1919 when a group of cowboys put on a “Wild West” show for passengers on trains that would stop over at the station in Williams Lake. After the show entertainers would pass around a hat to collect donations from adoring fans.
The first official Williams Lake Stampede took place the following year, and people trekked from miles around to take part in the revelry. Spectators and participants alike came to camp and compete, visit and dance, and to gamble and party – it was a major social event for the entire Cariboo area. When the show was in full force, the surrounding countryside would come to a standstill. It was Stampede time! As the rodeo's popularity grew, local businessmen and merchants embraced the opportunity to wholeheartedly support the event. Williams Lake was booming, and so was business.
From farmers to fishermen, cowboys to Christians, locals to loggers – all were drawn in - including the First Nations peoples of the Cariboo. In the early years, the primary means of travel was by horse-drawn wagon or saddle horse as very few country folk owned automobiles. Since then, the years have borne witness to many changes – a flux in population, booming industry, and advances in transportation. However, one thing still remains a constant. The Williams Lake Stampede is a gathering place where good times, excellent entertainment and a sterling quality of world-class riding, roping and rustling is the rule, not the exception.
Offering the exhilarating experiences that only a good, traditional cowboy rodeo can, the Williams Lake Stampede brings it all to include barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, range challenge, bareback, tie-down roping, team roping, mountain races, wild horse races...and much more. With musical entertainment, barn dances, beer gardens, family fun, kids nights plus a dinner and auctions, this event is much more than just somewhere to go – it's where you need to be.
The Stampede Campground is owned and operated by the Williams Lake Stampede Association. The Stampede Association is a non-profit organization operated by volunteers. Campground staff live on the premises within the stampede grounds (in the cream colour mobile home located in the centre of the grounds).
The grounds also feature nine, newer pull-through sites with 50-amp service, nineteen additional fully serviced RV sites, beautiful landscaping and an expanded and completely renovated washroom facility featuring new handicapped shower and full laundry facilities.
For more information on the Williams Lake Stampede go to www.williamslakestampede.com, and to reach the campground, call 250-398-6718.