Review by Heather Gordon
Guest writer from the University of Alberta’s Creative Non-Fiction writing program
The St. Albert Rainmaker Festival features a diverse event lineup that includes a thrilling rodeo, live music concerts, and an action-packed midway. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy – as long as you don’t mind outdoor activities! Families can immerse themselves in various entertainment activities, explore a bustling market showcasing local artisans, and indulge in delicious offerings from an entire street of food trucks.
The event began in 1965, starting as the Kinsmen Rodeo. Interestingly, the first few rodeos were rained out, giving it a quirky twist that likely inspired its memorable name change. Despite this soggy setback, the rodeo gained traction quickly and blossomed into a cherished local tradition. A remarkable aspect of the Rainmaker Festival is that all profits are generously funnelled back into local programs, charities, and individuals in need. This reinforces the event’s commitment to enriching the St. Albert community and supporting those who require assistance. This year marked the 58th anniversary of the festival (still run by the Kinsmen Club), highlighting its enduring appeal and significance, and it ran from May 23 to May 25.
I easily purchased tickets for this event online for the whole family, and I highly recommend buying them online. The online early bird deals make this event much more affordable, especially if you have littles. As we stepped into the St. Albert fairgrounds, located in Riel Park, on Sunday morning, the first thing we walked through was a charming little market. Although it was sparse, with only a handful of booths, each one showcased high-quality locally made goods.
There were booths selling candy, clothes, and crafts. The addition of cowboy hats brought a fun touch, perfect for anyone wanting to embrace a bit of Western flair at the rodeo. I do wish that there were more Western themed booths though, given the fact that it is a rodeo. What stood out was the blacksmith booth; the craftsmanship of the beautiful pieces was truly impressive. The intricate detailing on the blades was not something I had ever personally seen before. I left with an appreciation for the talent within our community.
The midway at the Rainmaker Rodeo Festival had a variety of carnival games, rides, and treats. From classic rides that got our adrenaline pumping, like the Round Up, to delightful treats like cotton candy and candy apples, the sounds of laughter and joy filled the air. It was heartwarming to see families and friends sharing smiles and creating memories as they enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere.
However, I did have some reservations about the pricing of the games; I found many games to be overpriced, especially considering the frequent feeling of being rigged to lose. For example, for the basketball carnival game, the hoops are smaller than standard size and the balls are overinflated, leaving it extremely difficult to score. My partner decided to spend $10 on one round of a shooting game that turned out to be a bit of a letdown. The game only lasted about 30 seconds, and despite the excitement, the gun didn’t shoot straight at all. It was disheartening to see several people, including my family, spending a considerable amount without much to show for it. Nonetheless, the overall experience was wonderful, and we cherished our time together. The smiles and laughter truly outweighed the negative of the carnival games, creating a memorable family outing. If you’re planning to visit, just be prepared for some budget adjustments when it comes to games. All in all, we had a fantastic time at the midway!
To the left of the midway was the kids’ field of entertainment. There were Shetland pony rides, where little ponies were dressed up as unicorns for young children to sit on and trot around in a circle. The lineup for this was a bit long for my patience level, but many children appeared to greatly enjoy riding on the back of these dressed up ponies. The piglet races were absolutely the cutest thing I have ever seen. Every few hours, baby pigs would be set free to race each other in a circle, and every few hours a crowd gathered with children and adults cheering alike. Keeping with the animal theme, a small petting zoo was also featured, showcasing calves, goats, chickens, and more! The only qualm I had with all of these animal based activities was that it was close to thirty degrees outside and the animals had very limited to no shade available.
Professional wrestling events held in an elevated wrestling ring had many young fans cheering enthusiastically. My partner, a former professional MMA fighter, found the wrestling entertaining but in a more humorous way, as the “fighting” was catered towards a younger audience; the wrestlers were not hurting one another and many of the “hits” never landed. Additionally, there were giant inflatable balls that people could use to run across the water in a giant inflatable pool, much like a hamster would. This large area of multiple activities kept children entertained for prolonged periods throughout our time at the rodeo.
In contrast to the family-friendly events, a large camper-style vehicle was situated in the far corner of the field, offering onsite checks to help detect prostate cancer in men. Although I can appreciate what this group was trying to do, and I wholeheartedly believe early detection can save lives (my father having passed away from cancer that was misdiagnosed for months), I found the placement of these prostate exams a little weird. This camper was situated near children’s activities and a large crowd, and for this very reason, my partner refused even to consider getting checked. Perhaps more men would have felt comfortable getting checked or even inquiring if it was in a more private area away from the kids.
As someone who grew up watching rodeos, the rodeo events brought back so many fond memories and I was highly entertained from start to finish. On the other hand, this was my partner’s first rodeo, and he was just as enthralled as I was. What I enjoy about the Rainmaker Rodeo, in particular, is that it has a larger lineup than the rural rodeos but is not nearly as claustrophobic as the Calgary Stampede. The lineup of events was impressive, featuring events like steer wrestling, bareback bronc riding, roping, and barrel racing. Each event showcased extraordinary skill and bravery from the participants, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. It was exciting to see the different techniques and styles that the riders and ropers employed, and the energy in the arena was infectious – aided, of course, by the rodeo clown with his witty remarks and participation encouragement.
However, the highlight of the day was undoubtedly the junior rodeo. The sight of those young riders and ropers was just too cute to handle! One downside, though, was the weather. It was sweltering hot, and there was absolutely no shade available. I reapplied sunscreen religiously, and I still ended up looking like a lobster the next day. It made for a bit of discomfort while cheering on the competitors. A little more planning regarding shade would have made the experience even better. But the high energy of the crowd and the high entertainment factor of the event itself will keep bringing me back year after year.
The Rainmaker Rodeo was once again a truly fantastic experience that left a lasting impression. It was packed with excitement, nostalgia, and adorable moments that made it unforgettable. Despite the intense heat and the feeling that some of the games were a bit rigged, the overall atmosphere was electric and lively. The performances and sense of community added to the event’s charm. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and entertaining outing with friends or family.
