Given the price of beef at the butchers these days (prime rib – maybe at Christmas?), the folks involved in keeping ranching traditions alive think they have a pretty enticing offer for their annual fundraiser.
In what the local cattle industry considers the social event of the year, the Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation is gearing up for their annual Fall Dinner and Auction Oct. 26.
As the signs of fall start to emerge with pumpkin spice drinks and the cool mornings, another sure sign of fall is the annual event that has been a sell out for as long as members can remember.
The dinner allows members and friends of the Stockmen’s a chance to get together once most of the fall work is done and have a great prime rib dinner, all for a hard-to-beat price of $100.
At last year’s event a giant slab of prime rib was one of the items auctioned off after the dinner and then the auctioneer drew laughs from the crowd when he spotted the last of the cooked beef (it had a few slices taken off the end) being wheeled towards the kitchen, and ordered the staffer to make a U-turn. Sandwiches for a week, and all for a good cause, he said.
More than just a good time, the Fall Dinner and Auction is an important fundraiser for Stockmen’s.
“It is the largest fundraiser we have on an annual basis and plays a key role in making sure we can continue to offer a variety of events and programing,” said Executive Director Scott Grattidge.
Grattidge said he wanted to make sure “the regulars” were aware that the event is always a sellout so they don’t get left behind by waiting too long to purchase tickets.
The Stockmen’s was formed in 1980 and has a mandate to honour and remember the builders of the livestock industry.
“We do this in a variety of ways,” said Grattidge, “from making our library, museum, art gallery and archives available to tourists, researchers and the public to offering a variety of educational and tourism opportunities.
“We have programming for kids in grades 1 and 2, delivering the Classroom Agriculture Program to Grade 4, to letting junior high students participate in our Bunkhouse Bonanza.”
A special class from Cochrane High School does a two-day program each spring that ends in a branding.
The Stockmen’s Branding was developed a few years ago and has evolved into a variety of offerings. It allows the public to get a feel for having your own brand and the pride ranchers take in anything the symbol is on.
This summer the Stockmen’s was busy at many community events like The Calgary Stampede, Water Valley Days, Dartique Days, and just last week Cochrane Discovery Days.
They have also been to Mountain View Aggie Days, a wedding and do the occasional corporate event for groups that are wanting to offer a unique experience that celebrates the heritage of ranching in Alberta.
Since COVID the Stockmen’s has taken the auction online which allows anyone, even those not at the dinner to bid on the items.
“As a provincial organization it has allowed us to connect with people all over the province and beyond as they bid on some great and sometime unique items,” Grattidge said.
“Our brandings are starting to get noticed and this spring we bought a cargo trailer, so we are better set up to take the brandings on the road,” he added.
The Fall Dinner and Auction is set for Saturday Oct. 26th at the Cochrane Ranchehouse with Cargill again donating all of the prime rib. Tickets are going fast again this year with about half already sold
Anyone looking for tickets or to donate items for either the live or silent auction is asked to call Stockmen’s at 403-932-3782 or email at [email protected].
