Wow, another amazing rodeo parade - and it didn't rain as per tradition! I was on a float getting some pictures of all the fun. I posted an online gallery here - did I see you?
For the second year of the "new route," I think it went quite well. Seems like there are always two seasons here: winter and construction. At least we can mitigate the second one with the different route!
This year's theme was celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, and it was interesting to see the different groups' take on that theme. Overall, it was a colourful, vibrant, and sometimes raucous parade!
This year, after the last float zoomed by, a free bbq lunch was served at Veteran's Park, hosted by Strathmore-Brooks MLA Derek Fildebrandt. He brought a couple of his peers along with him, provincial PC leader Jason Kenney and Calgary-Greenway MLA Prab Gill. ​

Looked like the politicians had fun meeting with people and enjoying Brooks hospitality.
My personal pick for Hero of the Rodeo Weekend is Naomi Zacharias from Creepy Monkey Graphics. Our area was hit by a huge storm last Thursday, and even the pine tree outside Naomi's shop fell victim to the incredible winds. This did not stop the tenacious lady, she was super busy with last-minute work (including a shirt I had ordered). 

As the clouds threatened to dump some more rain on us last Friday, Creepy Monkey Graphics was abuzz with people picking up orders and float displays. So when I saw Naomi parked along the parade route, I had to get a photo of her. If you were at the parade, you likely saw some of her handiwork!

As the parade wound back into the Old Rodeo Grounds and the floats began to get dismantled, I looked around and thought, "what a fine salute to our country." With all the stuff going on right now in the world, it's so refreshing to enjoy a beautiful summer morning. 
Maybe that's what could solve a lot of our problems - just quit arguing and watch a parade; enjoy the atmosphere.

Here's a press release about the Canadian Badlands Tourism Ambassador program. I'm one of the ambassadors for the Newell Region, and it's been so much fun sharing some of the amazing sights and sounds from this area. I've had the chance to meet my fellow ambassadors, and they are very skilled, extremely friendly people. If you have an event or destination you think we should cover, give one of us a call! 

Canadian Badlands Announces Social Media Ambassadors
CALGARY (June 5, 2017) — Canadian Badlands Tourism (CBT) is pleased to announce the selection of several social media tourism ambassadors. These ‘Tourism Ambassadors’ are local
social media users, who will use their influence to showcase unique ways to experience the
Canadian Badlands. The crew will attend and promote local events, attractions and experiences
from now until the September long weekend.
“We are more than pleased to have such fine local ambassadors set to tell authentic stories of
this land and its people. By showcasing their experiences on social media others will be inspired
to visit the Canadian Badlands and seek out their own adventures. ” says Barry Morishita,
President of Canadian Badlands Tourism.
A total of 20 Tourism Champions have been selected in the following regions: Special Areas, the
County of Newell and Lethbridge. Here’s a snapshot of the ambassadors for the Newell Region:

Samantha Plett is a mother of two toddlers, wife to a farmer and photographer by passion. She
grew up in the Badlands, and is keen to show tourists the diversity of this region. “From the
prairies to the river to the hoodoos, we have such a variety in our own backyard,” she says. Her
go to on hot summer days is the outdoor swimming pool in Bassano, followed up by date night
at Montana’s.
Follow Samantha on Instagram @samanthaplettphotography

Rebecca Campbell moved from east to west seven years ago. She now lives in Brooks with her
husband and their three little boys. Her other passions include teaching yoga and meditation,
energy healing, writing and photography. She and her family love exploring Evergreen Park and
Rolling Hills Reservoir. She hopes to encourage tourism to the Canadian Badlands: “So others
can explore the diversity of the landscape and meet the incredibly kind and down to earth
people who live here.”
Connect with Rebecca on Instagram @themindfulmamalife or on her blog
www.themindfulmamalife.com

Ryan Kiedrowski is a photographer, dad, husband, and tourism advocate. He loves music, Macs
and Nikon (not necessarily in that order). According to Ryan, the Canadian Badlands is like no
place else on earth. “The vast territory of the Badlands means each community can be quite
different. The land shapes the people, and we have some amazing stories to tell.” Ryan
recommends visitors check out Spin Nightspot for a night out in Brooks. “They have several
themed nights with fantastic house and guest DJs,” he says.
Explore with Ryan on Instagram @rykieimagesevents and on Twitter @DuchessABphoto

Rachel Boekel is a mountain girl living a very rich prairie life as a visual story teller. She works
as a portrait and wedding photographer in Brooks. Rachel is a self confessed sucker for a big
sky, hoodoos, pronghorn antelope and the storms that roll over our fields and lakes. Her tourism
wish is simple. “Everyone should see a sunrise or sunset over the Badlands, or the golden glow
of a canola field in peak bloom. When you stop to listen and look, the landscape is wild and
diverse, and the people are the salt of the earth,” she avows.
Follow Rachel’s adventures on Instagram @rachelboekelphotography

Emily Duncan is into adventure, hockey, photography, writing and spontaneous drives to the
middle of nowhere. Many people have asked Emily why she left her home in the rolling hills of BC and her response is always the same. “I love being able to see forever across our prairies, and yet still be so close to such incredible landscapes like the coulees. I wouldn’t trade living here for the world, and I encourage anyone to come experience the grandeur of our Badlands for themselves.”
Connect with Emily on Instagram @emrosedee and on Twitter @Emrosedee
 
A spirited sunset chaser, Larae Pierson is is always up for an adventure. By day, she works with entrepreneurs and teams. Off hours, Larae spends time traveling or on the family ranch located north of the Red Deer River. One of her favourite things to do is tuck into juicy steak and weekend soup at the Patricia Hotel, where her Grandad’s brand is etched into one of the tables.
Connect with Larae on Instagram and Twitter @Return2Rural


Join the Party
Locals and tourists are encouraged to join the ambassador’s adventures. Simply follow the
hashtags #CBTAmbassador, #MyBadlands and #visitnewell on Twitter and Instagram to receive
the latest updates, and learn more about local gems in your region.

About Canadian Badlands Tourism
Canadian Badlands Tourism (CBT) is a not-for-profit Alberta Corporation providing a new and
innovative approach to creating an integrated, destination-based tourism industry in South-
Eastern Alberta. CBT is the largest co-operative regional partnership of municipal governments
in Alberta. The shareholders are 59 municipal governments, who recognizing the power of co-
operative efforts to develop and implement strategic regional tourism development plans.

For further details contact:
Jaime McIntosh
Newell Regional Tourism Association
E: jmcintosh@brooks.ca
T: 403-793-0623

Well, hopefully not ALL week, but it sure started off that way! But, rain during Rodeo Week is to be expected around here. Another tradition is the week-long pancake breakfasts being served up free of charge by local businesses.

This morning was the TD Bank Mall merchants, who despite a rainy morning, provided some delicious pancakes & sausages. Of course, the rain dampened their outdoor experience, so the crew hosted diners indoors at Gus' Pizza. 

If you're like me and forget where the different breakfasts are each year, here's a list for the rest of the week:

Tuesday - 101.1 The One & Real Country 105.7 + Mall Merchants
Wednesday  - No Frills + Bevan & Partners 
Thursday - Brooks Motor Products
Friday - City of Brooks + County of Newell (at the Fire Hall)
Saturday - Evangelical Free Church
Sunday - Cowboy Service at the Old Rodeo Grounds (10 a.m.)

All breakfasts are served between 7 and 9 a.m. The lines can get long, so best to be there early!

I had so much fun shooting this wedding, and I hope you enjoy this preview. It's an honour to be invited to partake in a client's big day - a responsibility I don't take lightly. It's extra special when you get to document the day of such a fun family.
It always amazes me how far family members travel. There was a large contingent of people from BC, and as far away as Nevada who made the trip to share in this joyous day. 
Congratulations, Amanuel and Karen - thanks for the fun day, and may you have many happy years together!