You might not be aware of the fact that the Calgary Stampede itself is a non-profit organization. And, a lot of what you see on Park happens because of the effort of a huge volunteer base and a dedicated staff that work hard all year long. But, did you know that many of the talented performers that you see during the Stampede are part of programs offered by the Calgary Stampede Foundation, which is a charitable organization?
The Foundation has a commitment to develop the potential of young people in the community and when you see these young people perform, I think you’ll agree that they are doing a pretty great job of it!
So, you might be asking yourself, which groups does the Foundation support? Well, here’s a brief blurb on each group and what they do.
The Stampede 4-H on Parade Program is an integral part of the education and the development of young people in agriculture. It’s a show that invites youth aged 10-19 to show their steers, heifers, sheep and horses, and to have them evaluated by industry experts. 4-H Rodeo brings together 120 competitors from the Calgary region. Last year there were 450 entries in 9 rodeo events. As an annual program, it is becoming another Calgary Stampede tradition.
Each year the Youth Speech & Debate committee sponsors both the Stampede Invitational Debate for junior and senior high school students and the annual 4-H debate.
The World Champion Calgary Stampede Showband offers musical training to young Calgarians. Currently the Band is 130 members strong and travels around the world entertaining thousands each year.
The Young Canadians School of the Performing Arts is our largest community youth program. The troupe of 173 receive training in the disciplines of voice, dance and gymnastics. We provide scholarships and academic tutoring for those who require them. If you’ve ever seen the Grandstand show it’s obvious how hard these young people work.
The Foundation also supports two other events:
Each spring during Roughstock, the Aggie Days Program provides a “Day on the Farm” to school children aged 6-12. The program presents tours, exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, and is designed to increase the children’s appreciation for and understanding of agriculture in Alberta.
The Stampede Youth Talent Showdown is dedicated to the discovery, development and encouragement of young amateur entertainers across southern Alberta. These young people are awarded the opportunity to perform at the Stampede, to win cash prizes, and often, to embark upon a career in the entertainment business. The winner of this event competes each year at the youth talent contest sponsored by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions where they are eligible to receive further scholarships.
So there you have it, another peek into the inner workings of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth and some of the programs and activities that fall under the Calgary Stampede Foundation.
For updates and info on everything Stampede, make sure you follow us on Twitter at @calgarystampede, on Facebook through our official Facebook fan page, visit our website, and stay tuned to the official Stampede Blog to learn more about some of the things happening Here. All Year.
Tags: Aggie Days, Foundation, Showband, Young Canadians, Youth Speech & Debate
This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 at 9:19 am and is filed under Here. All Year, NGC. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
starts at 7:30 pm with opening acts by Darius Rucker and Justin Moore.
From left-to-right: Indian Princess - Eva Meguinis, Stampede Princess - Whitney Wilkie, Stampede Queen - Jenna Lambert, Stampede Princess - Stephanie Gray
After finishing his education at Pontmain School, he spent the summer herding bucking horses to rodeos at Trochu, Lousana, Pine Lake, Big Valley, Rumsey and Content Bridge for Shady (Howard) Green. Tom and Shady would take about 30 head of horses to each rodeo. Often other chuck wagons from across the river would meet with Shady’s wagon (the Ranches present building site) and then join Tom Lauder and Jim Ross in Trochu to make their way down to the Calgary Stampede. Tom rode herd on the bucking horses as it usually took them a couple of weeks to get to Calgary as they stopped at some small rodeos on the way. At the Calgary Stampede, Tom was an outrider for the Jim Ross wagon. Tom and his friends, Breezy (Bill) and Art Kober, rode in 3 events at the Stampede – bareback, saddle bronc and bulls. He spent four seasons competing at rodeos with Jake Kramer, Jiggs and Art Boyce. Later Tom went to work for Ben Parker north of Rumsey, and Jim Thompson.
In 1948 Tom Lynch married Hazel Hudson from the Elnora area. At this time Tom was working as ferryman on the Tolman ferry. Tom and Hazel had two sons, Jim (1950) and Jesse (1951). One year later Tom lost his beloved wife, Hazel, to polio. As Tom was unable to work and take care of his boys at the same time, he took them to stay in the Lacombe Home at Midnapore. His sister Helen lived in Calgary so she often took Jim and Jesse to her place.
In the early sixties Tom also did a bit of custom baling for neighbors. Tom drove school bus to help supplement their income from 1968 – 1979, and Willie also drove bus from 1971 – 2001. Tom was one of the founding members of the Trochu Light Horse Club and the Red Deer Quarter Horse Association, and was also a very active member of both. He shared his love of competing in shows and gymkhanas with his family by taking them to horse shows every weekend that he could.
He wants his ranch to stay running as he did so others can continue to enjoy it. So, at the TL Bar Ranch lives the legacy, years of hard work, and love for family that Thomas Michael Lynch dreamed of, and brought to life for many to enjoy. Tom, as a husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa we are so blessed to have had so many wonderful years with you. You have always been an honorable man and we feel proud to carry forth your legacy. Thank you for everything you have given us, taught us, and allowed us to experience. We love you with all our hearts and we always will. In our hearts, thoughts, and dreams you will forever live on, as will all the happy memories we cherish of you within. A more admirable man has not yet graced our lives in the way you have, we pray that the good Lord gives you the best mount to continue on as you ride forever through the Red Deer River Valley.
Video - Foal 6 Days Old.\CartyStudios Corporation\Auto Blogging Software - WebMagnates.org\data\Calgary Stampede\horse blog\foal_cat1_sml-300x200.jpg)
Video - Foal meets a new friend.
