Record number of attendees at the Tweed Stampede (2024)

The highly anticipated Tweed Stampede returned and was well attended over the Labour Day long weekend at Stoco Lodge, hosting a record number of ticket holders at this year’s annual event that brings campers in for the weekend from near and far, bringing positive economic impact to the community.

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The sun was high in the sky on Sunday for the feature rodeo that packed the stands for an afternoon of good cowboy and cowgirl entertainment. The stampede had daily features such as arm wrestling, fireworks, mutton bustin’, a search and rescue demo, and bull riding.

Anyone interested in bull riding was encouraged to try the mechanical bull set up on the event grounds for five-dollar rides.

The riding events included rescue races, bull riding, ladies and youth barrel racing, pole bending, saddleback, and bareback, and riders from across the province participated.

Owner of Stoco Lake Lodge and founder of the Tweed Stampede, Casey Trudeau, said this year the stampede had record pre-tickets. “I don’t know the total numbers, but it was the most tickets we ever sold in advance,” he said.

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Friday night brought out a good crowd to see Jade Eagleson and Abby Stewart, said Trudeau, “I’m truly a fan of both of those [artists] now.” Saturday brought more live entertainment by James Barker Band, Courtney Kane, Jessica Sevier, and Nayana, and a rodeo featured in the afternoon.

Sunday afternoon, the rodeo kicked off again in the afternoon with the family trick-riding rope team; Aunt Megan and niece MacKenzie’s duo called ‘Off Kilter’ returned with their trick roping performance that included impressive rope jumps, giant flags, and an excellent 27-foot-long rope routine.

For the first time, a wheelbarrow race featuring three duos who ran pushing wheelbarrows through the sandy terrain, hauling their teammate down the ring and around the barrel at the ring’s east end before switching places and making their way to the finish line in hopes of winning the 200$ prize. A surprise bull was let into the ring as contestants made their way to the finishing line, the crowd bursting into laughter.

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The sheep riding event was great entertainment, including some local young cowboys and cowgirls.

Team founder and lead Terry Jenkins and the Canadian Cowgirls, based out of Chatham, were in attendance again, following up last year’s presentation.

“They spread the word of Canada everywhere they go,” said the host over the PA during their spectacular performance.

A travelling weekend attendee from Bowmanville, Karlyn St. John, attended the rodeo with her friends and said she had a great time in Tweed. “It was an amazing time. I’m trying to find myself a cowboy,” laughing ringside during the afternoon show on Sunday.

The afternoon is full of great non-stop entertainment, with riders competing in bareback, saddleback, barrel racing, and other fun features, like a race between a horseback rider and a dirt bike for the best time that left sand flying through the crowd as the bike ripped around the ring. Spectators were asked to stay back from the gates.

A feature truck and tractor pull closed the weekend on Sunday evening and weekend, and the campers expected to clear the grounds by 11 a.m. on Monday.

“I’d like to thank our sponsors and volunteers; we have the best team that puts this together,” said Trudeau.

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