Although there were a few raindrops to contend with, the Sundre Chamber Rodeo Parade was another exciting time. We were fortunate to have so many newsworthy women in the Parade as we saluted “Women of the West”. The Parade Marshall was our own Arleta Bowhay, Miss Rodeo Canada 2012. More Rodeo royalty was with us when the Alberta High School Rodeo Queen , local student Desirae Jackson rode with us. Sportswomen of the West were represented by Becca Konschuh, who grew up in Sundre, and is a member of the Canadian National Junior Curling Team: and we again welcomed Calgary girl Cheryl Bernard, the skip of the 2010 Olympic Silver Medal winning team of Women's Curling. Another local girl of note in the parade was Vaughan Marr who was Miss Calgary 2007 and placed in the top 20 of the recent Miss Universe Canada pageant.
Women politicians were well represented as Annette Clews, Mayor of Sundre, Judy Dahl, Mayor of Olds, and Leslie Abrams, Mayor of Cremona were able to attend.
Prizes were awarded to parade entries based on criteria such as theme, quality and enthusiasm. Here are this year's winners. BEST OVERALL ENTRY: Sundre Hospital and Care Centre. ANTIQUE MOTOR: 1ST Ray Barker 1953 Hudson Hornet ; 2nd Neil Harper 1947 Ford ton; 3rd Jim Peters 1969 Dodge Charger. COMMERCIAL BUSINESS: 1st Sundre Forest Products; 2nd ATB Financial; 3rd Bonavista Petroleum. COMMUNITY SPIRIT/CULTURAL: 1st Sundre Hospital & Care Centre; 2nd Sundre Curling Club with Becca Konschuh; 3rd Sundre Aquaplex. HORSEBACK: 1st Cochrane Posse; 2nd Wild Rose Riders; 3rd Wild Pink Yonder Riders. HORSE DRAWN: 1ST Jackson Fork Ranch/Central Alberta Draft Horse Classic; 2nd Sundre Garden Club; 3rd Calgary Stampede Show Wagon. PROFESSIONALLY MADE OR MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION: 1st Westerner Park/City & County of Red Deer; 2nd Town of Sundre; 3rd Town of Didsbury. YOUTH ACTIVITY: 1st Sundre Municipal Library; 2nd Studio K Dance Gallery; 3rd Mountain View Taekwondo Society. Congratulations to all the winners.
The Chamber would like to thank the many volunteers who helped organize and direct the parade; the Sundre Fire Department, RCMP, and Sundre and Mountain View County Peace officers for traffic control, the Town of Sundre, and the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association; and a big thank you to all the sponsors who helped to put on another great Sundre Chamber Rodeo Parade.
