CALGARY, ALBERTA – When organizations with deep roots in the Western heritage come together with the WPCA to showcase the sport of chuckwagon racing, the energy in the grandstand is powerful. Fans experience it annually at events like the Grande Prairie Stompede, the Ponoka Stampede, and the Strathmore Stampede. Now, after a recently signed partnership agreement, chuckwagon racing fans will experience the energy and excitement of the WPCA Pro Tour at the Wainwright Stampede.
The first year of the three-year agreement will start with the 2025 Wainwright Stampede scheduled for June 20th, 21st and 22nd. The WPCA races in Wainwright will be the 4th stop on the 2025 WPCA Pro Tour and will follow the WPCA races in Medicine Hat and be a setup for the Ponoka Stampede.
Kris Molle is a driver director with the WPCA and feels this is a great opportunity for both the WPCA and the Wainwright area. “This show helps grow our tour, and the community really gets involved during Stampede Week,” he says, “There are pancake breakfasts, a cabaret, a rodeo, a parade, and more. The committee is great to work with, they have a nice facility, and there’s always lots of energy.”
Wainwright Stampede Association President Paul Harvey expressed excitement about the agreement, stating, “I am thrilled to announce our new three-year partnership with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA). Ensuring that top-tier chuckwagon racing remains a highlight of the Wainwright Stampede, enhancing the experience for both participants and spectators. We are committed to upholding the rich tradition of professional rodeo in Canada, and this agreement with the WPCA ensures that the Wainwright Stampede remains a premier destination for top-tier chuckwagon racing.” This multi-year deal solidifies the Wainwright Stampede’s status as one of the premier stops on the WPCA circuit, further cementing its reputation as a must-see event in Canadian rodeo.
1952 was the first year professional chuckwagon races were held in Wainwright, and local hero Buster Newman was the event’s first champion. Chuckwagon races in Wainwright remained an integral part of the WPCA schedule until 1983, and it remains one of the longest consecutive communities to hold chuckwagon races. The WPCA is looking forward to rekindling a relationship that started over 70 years ago.
Tickets for the Wainwright Stampede will be available for purchase online in the coming weeks at Home | Wainwrightstampede
