Golden Circle of Champions
Because No Family Should Ride Alone.
The Williams Lake Stampede has always been about more than rodeo. It is about community, neighbours helping neighbours, and standing together when life gets tough.
In 2026, the Williams Lake Stampede proudly introduced the Golden Circle of Champions, a new initiative dedicated to supporting local children and families facing pediatric cancer.
The program was created with one simple belief:
Every child deserves a community cheering them on.
Just as thousands of fans fill the grandstands to support our cowboys and cowgirls, we wanted to ensure that children fighting the toughest battles of their lives know they have an entire community standing beside them.
Our First Champion
The inaugural Golden Circle of Champions recognized Lucie Bertoli, a remarkable 16-year-old from our community and a three-time leukemia survivor. Her courage, resilience, kindness, and determination inspired everyone who had the privilege of meeting her.
During the 2026 Stampede:
$1 from every Sunday rodeo ticket was donated to Lucie and her family.
Visitors had the opportunity to purchase commemorative Golden Circle bandanas.
The community came together to show that no family should ever face pediatric cancer alone.
What began as a single event quickly became one of the most meaningful moments of the weekend.
