Stavely is a rural farming community in southern Alberta with about 500 residents. Situated in what residents of Stavely like to think of as Alberta's "Banana Belt", it is an ideal ranching and farming area with rolling prairies to the east and foothills to the west.
Stavely lays claim to the first indoor rodeo in North America, and quite likely the first in the world.
Stavely, being in farm and ranch country, was home to many cowboys and horsemen. As a result, many stampedes and race meets had been held at various places in the community, one of the first being a stampede at the agricultural grounds in 1916, which is where the golf course is now. This was only 4 years after the first
Calgary Stampede.
It was June, 1929 when Harry Streeter put on an indoor rodeo in the Stavely skating rink and Stavely laid claim to the "first indoor rodeo" in North America and maybe the world. Hence the town's motto on their Welcome to Stavely Sign located just on the outskirts of town. The tradition continued intermittently, with hiatuses in the "Dirty Thirties" and during World War II. Since then it has been an annual event to this day.
Canada's first indoor rodeo
1929
First Indoor Rodeo in Canada (maybe the world).
1956
The annual Indoor Rodeo started. Due to a storm the Rodeo didn't end until 4 AM.
1958
Stavely rink burned down after the Rodeo was held, but with the spirit of Stavely, a new rink was built and ready for the Rodeo the following year.
1982
The rebuilt arena burned down a week before the Rodeo. Everything had been set up, so with many hours of volunteer help, chutes were painted and the event was moved to the Claresholm Agriplex to continue the annual tradition.
1983 - 84
The Indoor Rodeo had to be held in Claresholm again as the new arena was still being constructed. Organizers have always been appreciative of all the support provided by the Willow Creek Ag Society.
1985
The Indoor Rodeo was held again in Stavely in the brand new and present arena.
2003
The 47th Annual Indoor Rodeo was held.
From Stavely Pro Rodeo