This year’s Hand Hills Lake Stampede is welcoming Fred and Edna Preston as special guests to open the event this Saturday.
“It’s an honour, I am 85 and he’s 82 and they always get the old people to open the show,” laughs Edna. “I guess we’re the last standing!”
The Preston roots go back to 1926 and Fred was born and raised in the area. His wife Edna was originally from the Hussar area, and together they lived in the Hand Hills for 31 years. The pair raised a large family, ran cattle and farmed.
As members of the community, they became involved in the Hand Hills Lake Stampede. Fred worked the chutes for many years and Edna used to hep in the kitchen during the shows and other events.
Edna also served as secretary of the Hand Hills Lake Club.
The couple sold their ranch in 2007 and now live on an acreage outside of Hanna.
She fondly remembers her time in the Hand Hills.
“People don’t visit like they used to. When we were out there, there used to be parties and stuff at our house,” She said. “My grandson Davey Shields use to rodeo and when the rodeo was over we used to get all the cowboys to help brand the next day.”
Today they still have five quarters of hay land at their new place so it is enough to keep them busy in their retirement.
She says they still make it to the Stampede most years but this year will be special as the honoured guests, and they look forward to visiting many of their friends at the show.
This year’s Hand Hills lake Stampede is June 3-5. Slack starts at noon on Friday, and the rodeo starts at noon on Saturday and Sunday. The chuck wagon and chariot races begin at 7 p.m. each night.
