National Volunteer Week | April 21 - Meet Doug McAllister
National Volunteer Week is upon us! The Strathmore & District Agricultural Society would like to take this time to highlight some of our outstanding volunteer that help us out!
Today we would like to introduce to you Doug McAllister! Doug has been a long time volunteer with the AG Society, helping out a several events such as the Strathmore Stampede, Stampede Fright Night & Celebration of Lights. We asked Doug about his volunteer experience & why he thinks it’s important.
1. Why do you volunteer?
“I believe the volunteering is important as we should support our community and the activities they do”
2. When did you get involved with the organization?
“I got involved about give years ago, initially with the Strathmore Stampede as a Tractor Driver for the People Movers. I was upset when Covid happened as nothing was going on. Once things settled down, I came back to volunteering with the Stampede and have also helped out at Stampede Fright Night & Celebration of Lights to assist with set up and take down.
3. What attracted you to this organization in particular?
“I am a firm believer in helping out the community you live in. Without volunteers, nothing could go on or happen. There are so many things you can do to help out your community and it’s a great way to get involved”
4. Do you have a message to share?
“There are so many different thing you can do to gill your time and volunteering is a great thing. All types of people can come and volunteer and you get to meet so many different groups of people. I encourage youth of the community to come and volunteer for a shift or two as well to give you something to do and learn from others”
Doug McAllister is not pictured in this photo - thank you to this amazing volunteer as well!
National Volunteer Week | April 20 - Meet Alex & Terry Toth
National Volunteer Week is upon us! The Strathmore & District Agricultural Society would like to take this time to highlight some of our outstanding volunteer that help us out!
Today we would like to introduce you to Alex & Terry Toth! The couple are relatively new to our organization as they begun their volunteer journey in 2022 with the Celebration of Lights! Since their start, they have both been great help in setting up and organizing everything to do with the Celebration of Lights park including Santa’s Cottage! We asked Alex & Terry about their volunteer experience & why they think it’s important.
1. Why do you volunteer?
Alex: “I volunteer to try to share my experiences, knowledge and create a wide social circle!”
Terry: “To give back - whether it is your community or to others. I think it’s important to help others where you can and share your talents and gifts when you can.
2. What motivates you to stay involved?
Alex: “Motivation for being and staying involved is to keep occupied and expand the knowledge of Strathmore, its people and its history by being a part of its future. Expanding my (our) friends and acquaintances”
Terry: “I like how this organization welcomes all and makes you feel like apart of their family”
3. In your opinion, what is the most important work this organization does?
Alex: “The AG in Strathmore is an essential organization brining people together. It creates an atmosphere of past and present activities while preparing a greater future for Strathmore”
Terry: “Bringing the community together. There is no better example of this then the Celebration of Lights. The community comes together working a multitude of jobs and hours to make this event happen every year, and making the thousands of visitors feel welcome and apart of it. It is such a wonderful experience to be a part of”
4. What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future/long term?
Alex: “The AG will be successful and reach its long term goals through the excellent people involved in the every day running, the people planning as well as initiating future plans and the excellent board of directors it supports. Lets not forget the group of volunteers and their leaders it takes to pull off any of the AG Societies events”
Terry: “I would love to see this event continue to in the direction it has taken this year. With all of the great support it has I am positive that this will happen. Long term I think this event, as all things, must continue to change and evolve to stay relevant thus ensuring it’s survival”
5. Does anyone in your life play a role in supporting your involvement or providing inspiration?
Alex: “The people (volunteers) I have been involved with are the greatest people for supporting involvement, creating a want to the involved atmosphere thus giving support and inspiration to ideas and relating experiences to help expand and grow as well as improve the experience created for the public. Seeing the joy on the faces of the visitors at the COL is a fulfilling reward!”
Terry: “My husband is my greatest supporter. But along with that the amount of support from all of the volunteers with the Celebration of Lights and staff from the AG Society was overwhelming. Their welcoming support inspires me to become a better person”
Wild Pony Racing Registration | Strathmore Stampede 2023
Registration for Wild Pony Racing is now open! Please fill out the form below.
Team Fee: $30.00
Please complete the following form for the child you wish to have participate. Please note that you MUST have your team of 3 ready prior to registering and be available the Friday, Saturday & Sunday of the Strathmore Stampede. The Wild Pony Races take place at the end of the Rodeo after the Bull Riding.
Child MUST be between the ages of 8 to 12 years old at the time of the event. This is for the safety of our animals & your child. If you register any child and they do not fall between the age range, you will be deregistered. At any point, the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society reserves the right to ask for a copy of the birth certificate or passport of the child.
Following the submission of this form, someone from the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society will contact you to inform you that your form has been received.
An invoice will be sent to you via Square. Payments must be complete through the invoice - PLEASE NO EFTs at this time unless otherwise discussed with the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society. Payment must be made on time or it will result in deregistration.
A month prior to the event, you will receive an email from the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society with an explanation as to where to meet, the times, and what to bring with you. Please note that only ONE parent may accompany their child at the time of the event. Any other family members or friends must purchase tickets to the Rodeo to watch the event.
National Volunteer Week | April 19 - Meet Troylene Hofer
National Volunteer Week is upon us! The Strathmore & District Agricultural Society would like to take this time to highlight some of our outstanding volunteer that help us out!
Today we would like to introduce you to Troylene Hofer! Troy has been a long time volunteer with the Strathmore Stampede, practically volunteering in every area there is over the last 20+ years. She has worked in all of our beer gardens, parking and is now helping in our Private Suites! We asked Troy a few questions about her experience volunteering & why she thinks it’s important.
1. When did you get involved in this organization?
“20+ years ago I was buying tickets for the fill rodeo so I decided that I would volunteer! I started out working in the main beer gardens. The year after that they had me in Main, North & South [beer gardens]. On the third year, the girls I volunteered for asked if I would like to take over for them as Committee Head. Yes. ALL the Beer Gardens. I was very happy and had very many friends & family who got recruited and as I put it ‘voluntold’. We had a blast! On Saturday nights I would spend an extremely long one also working the cabaret. I took two years off and when I cam back I volunteered in parking and people movers. The next year I once again became the Committee Head for Handicap & Seniors parking, General Parking, People Movers and Free Camping. Let me tell you - busy was an understatement! I loved every second of it. I ran that part for 10-12 years. I left for another year & then came back to volunteer in just general parking. As lucky as usual, I was again in my comfort zone with my rodeo family & was asked again to be a Committee Head for Private Suites. I absolutely love it! For the very first time, I get to see a large portion of the ever loved Rodeo!”
2. What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future and/or long term?
“I hope the organization in the future & long term can have a little Midway back, although they did a great job filling the gap of that being gone. Also, we are getting there, but I would like every performance to be sold out!”
3. Does anyone in your life play a role in supporting your involvement?
“My wonderful volunteers & my man keep me well inspired to carry on. I also love the prestige that the Ag Society give us for all our help!”
4. What attracted you to volunteering for the Strathmore Stampede?
“I was attracted to this rodeo as I sponsored Chuckwagons & the Wild Pony Racing. Strathmore was just the best! Well organized, free parking, free camping & amazing entertainment!”
5. Why do you volunteer?
“I volunteer because I love the feeling of helping & giving of myself! I also love my rodeo family!”
6. What contribution or achievement are you most proud of?
“I think my biggest achievement of all was mentoring my younger volunteers. I got a call one year from management that one of my volunteers mother’s had asking for my phone number. Her son has volunteered for me and was an absolute blessing, smart & worked very long hours when someone wouldn’t show up. He was graduating & his mom invited me to his high school graduation party! Talk about thrilled beyond! I went and enjoyed meeting his whole family and friends!”
