Stock photo courtesy of the Falkland Stampede / Facebook

By Liam Verster/Vernon Matters

Over 12,000 Attendees

105th Falkland Stampede draws large crowds despite rain

May 23, 2025 | 9:43 AM

FALKLAND, B.C. — The annual rodeo in the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District saw a large turnout over the May Long Weekend.

The 105th Falkland Stampede ran from May 17-19, and drew in large crowds of spectators.

“Despite having, unfortunately, three not great weather days, I believe we still had just as many, if not more, people throughout the weekend,” Melissa Seaman, the Falkland Stampede Rodeo Manager, told Vernon Matters.

“We’re guessing about 12,000 people throughout the three days at the stampede.”

The rodeo manager said their biggest year was in 2022, following the COVID-19 pandemic, which drew roughly 13,000 attendees. She did state that the turnout, though not record setting, was still great to see and was happy people were making it a tradition to come out and watch the events.

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“I was so impressed with our crowds every single day,” Seaman said.

“No matter if they didn’t get a seat in a covered grandstand, if they were just sitting out in the rain, with or without an umbrella, they were engaged, they were excited to be there, cheering on all our cowboy athletes. It was amazing to see.”

Seaman noted this was a milestone for both the stampede and herself, as it was the 105th edition of the rodeo and her fifth year as manager. To mark the milestone, the stampede featured extra trick riders at the half-time show, opened a kid zone with a bouncy castle, and the return of the sheep riding at half-time.

“[Sheep riding] has become a huge crowd favourite,” Seaman explained.

“It’s just our second year having it and I know we’ll continue to have it as the fans love to watch kids try to ride sheep across the arena.”

She also noted that over $80,000 in prizes were awarded to the cowboys and cowgirls who participated in the rodeo, which was the most given away by the stampede.

Ticket sales and profits from the dances, held at the outdoor rink in the evenings, were going to be used to maintain the property, but also help fund the building of another covered grandstand. The Falkland Community Association was also looking into grant opportunities to support that project.

The rodeo manager added there were no significant issues hosting the event, though there was some traffic backlogged on Saturday, and recommended people plan to leave earlier in future years to ensure they avoid any major slow-downs.