June 27 - June 30, 2025

We welcome you to "The wildest show west of the rocks”

GROUNDS INFORMATION

Overnight - Travelling friends! Our grounds are open for you to overnight, however the water has now been turned off for the winter so please bring water with you. If possible please make arrangements with the office prior to arrival, 250-392-6585. In the case of a last minute stop or emergencies, please check in with caretaker upon arrival.

Reminder to please leave pens clean and all gates closed when you leave. Wheelbarrows and manure forks are available by the manure bin. $10/horse/day can be left in the drop box on the gate by the log washroom building.

Please plan ahead whenever possible, on the occasion that an event is happening, our grounds are closed for the duration of the event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Track Use - Use of the track is permitted to those that have signed a current year waiver and paid the WLSA membership fee. These both need to be renewed each year. Contact the office 250-392-6585 or stop in during business hours, Monday to Friday 8-4.

Parking - Due to insurance reasons we require ALL persons to check in with the office or caretaker if you wish to park anything on the grounds and leave it unattended. ***ANIMALS MUST NOT BE LEFT AT OR IN TRAILERS UNHOOKED & UNATTENDED*** - we have pens for those occasions.

Dogs - We are not insured as a dog park and therefore do not have the facilities to be used as such. Please if you are walking your dog on our grounds that it be on a leash as per the City of Williams Lake Bylaws and be sure to clean up after it.

March 18, 2024

C5 Rodeo Company Set to Bring World-Class Rodeo Stock to the 96th annual Williams Lake Stampede

Williams Lake, BC – Williams Lake Stampede Association is proud to announce C5 Rodeo Company’s participation as the new stock contractor for the 2024 Williams Lake Stampede, taking place from June 28 to July 1, 2024. C5 Rodeo is excited to bring their world-class stock to one of Canada’s most iconic rodeo events.

“We are thrilled to be heading to Williams Lake with a talented stock line up and top notch production,” said Vern McDonald, owner of C5 Rodeo. “The Williams Lake Stampede is a cornerstone of rodeo culture in British Columbia, and we’re looking forward to contributing to its storied tradition.” The collaboration marks a significant milestone for both parties, promising to elevate the competition and entertainment value for rodeo fans and participants alike. C5 Rodeo’s commitment to excellence and innovation in rodeo entertainment aligns perfectly with the Stampede’s legacy of showcasing the best in rodeo sports.

“We are very excited to be working with C5 Rodeo Company for the 96th Annual Williams Lake Stampede.  The spectators and competitors have spoken and we have listened.  C5 Rodeo will provide our event with four performances of world class rodeo action.  Please help us in welcoming Vern MacDonald and the C5 crew.” Said Court Smith, President of the Williams Lake Stampede Association.

About C5 Rodeo Company

C5 Rodeo Company is recognized for its innovative approach to rodeo production and providing award-winning world-class stock. They are known as one of the largest bucking horse suppliers in North America and operate out of Lac La Biche, Alberta, and Helena, Montana. Their services are utilized at events in over 30 locations worldwide, showcasing their expertise and commitment to the rodeo industry.

Our 2024 Williams Lake Stampede Poster

‘Smoke Show’ by Lucy Sager

Posters will be available for purchase from the ticket office upon opening in May.

What a great way to spend Canada Day! Every year, over the July 1st long weekend, Williams Lake, BC, rolls out the welcome mat! Visitors come from far and wide to enjoy several days of Canadian Professional Rodeo Association action at the World Famous Williams Lake Stampede.We are proud to host all the of the top cowboys – international competitors from Canada and the United States -join us for all the rodeo performances and catch all the action! Come and join the fun! Experience an authentic and historic rodeo at the heart of a community family event – the World Famous Williams Lake Stampede!

Williams Lake Stampede history is long and colourful.

Williams Lake is located in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. It is the centre of a large service and trading area for a population of well over 50,000 people. It is the shopping and business centre for many in the ranching industry whose land and holdings spread in all directions from Williams Lake.

The stockyards in Williams Lake market the ranchers cattle from as far south as Clinton, as far north as Quesnel, as far west as Bella Coola and as far east as Horsefly. The town was just a spot on the map until the coming of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in 1920. The coming of the railway coincided with the first real organized Williams Lake Stampede.

Today the rodeo is held on the same site as the 1st Annual production back in 1920 (the rodeo took a several year hiatus during the World Wars and recently 2 years for the COVID-19 pandemic). In the early days the cowboys were mostly local boys and girls who wanted a place to show off their cowboy talents, today’s rodeo is a big professional show with cowboys from all over Canada and the U.S. coming to compete. The original concept is maintained by a locals only competition called the Ranch Challenge where cowboys from area ranches compete against each other for the years bragging rights as “the best cowboys”.