Your news this week: Bus/Train memorial additions - 2 Andrew Ag. 50th celebrations - 3 Summer Sizzled at Lamont - 8/9 OPINION: US gun addiction - 4
Proud to be an Independent CANADIAN Publication
FREE
www.LamontLeader.com
Summer Sizzler sets records for crowds and rodeo competitors BY JOHN MATHER It was a Sizzler of a summer rodeo. And Lamont Summer Sizzler Rodeo Chairperson Shelley Loren was over the moon talking about the success of the event over the July 9 and 10 weekend. “All the stars aligned to make this the most successful event,” she said. “There were lots of activities going on across Lamont County with the parade in town, the bazaar in Chipman and the anniversary up in Andrew. The weather was perfect for both days.” She said the Lamont Agricultural Society had approached the Town of Lamont to see if they could collaborate on the rodeo in some way to build it up, and the parade in town prior to the start of the rodeo was the result. It featured more than 61 entries and at its conclusion there was a very successful pancake breakfast. She said more than 3,400 people came out to view the rodeo, the first since 2019, when Covid shut down the world. “Our dance Saturday night, with the Dirt Rich Band, out of Saskatchewan. It was the best attended dance in more than 30 years of rodeo dances.” She added the kids zone with petting zoo and pony rides was a tremendous success and sponsor Richardson Pioneer did a great job assisting with it. “We can’t do this without our volunteers and they were fantastic,” she said. “We had the FCSS and the Fish and Game group at the kids zone, the Ardrossan Bison football team helped out, the Lamont Curling Club ran the 50/50 draw, and of course all the volunteers who came out and helped the Lamont Ag. Society run the event from ticket sellers to gatekeepers… it was just perfect.” “The whole weekend went off without a hitch,” she gushed. “The weather gods were with us.” Loren said the Saturday kids fun rodeo had 34 entries and there is already a waiting list for next
Vol. 17, No. 33, Wednesday, July 13, 2022
This cowboy exits his saddle bronc ride at the Sizzler rodeo over the weekend. Thrills and spills from the Summer Sizzler in Lamont on pages 8 & 9. Crystal Moren Photo
year. The always popular combine crunch drew large crowds, and when the dust settled it was won by Ethan Nimchuk of Lamont who pocketed the $3,800 first prize. The reserve champion was Dakota Procyk who pocketed $1,750. In the grudge match the winner was Owen Glover who picked up $1,000 for his efforts. The 50/50 prize, carried over from Saturday when no one came forward to claim that day’s prize, was just over $4,200 which was won by a Lamont County resident.
Loren added the rodeo featured a record number of entries. She said there were a large number of entries from southern Alberta because Lamont Summer Sizzler rodeo was a triple approved event by the Foothills Cowboy Association, the Lakeland Rodeo Association and the Wildrose Rodeo Association. “It was one of the larger entered rodeos,” Loren said. All the competitors in the rodeo competition received commemorative buckles presented by the Lamont Agricultural Society.