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People run out of the Whoop-Up Days entrance at the height of the storm, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

Thunderstorm stops rides and rodeo at Whoop-Up Days

Aug 26, 2022 | 1:07 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – People had to run for cover during the Whoop-up Days fair and rodeo as an intense thunderstorm rolled through the Lethbridge and District Exhibition and rodeo grounds on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

The storm cell loomed over the grandstand as the rodeo got underway at 7:00 p.m.

Storm cell looms over the grandstand as the Whoop-Up Days Pro Rodeo begins, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)
Ominous clouds hang overhead as the Whoop-Up Days Pro Rodeo gets underway on Thursday, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

The rain started during the Ladies Barrel Racing event, and quickly intensified.

Thunderstorm starts during Ladies Barrel Racing event at Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

Before long, the rodeo and the midway rides both stopped as the storm moved through, and people scrambled to find cover and help keep the rodeo livestock calm.

Horse at Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo during a thunderstorm, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

Water quickly pooled on the exhibition and rodeo grounds and the surrounding roadways.

Water pools on roadways near Exhibition Park in Lethbridge, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

The storm lasted about an hour and a half, but the action soon resumed on the wet fairgrounds and muddy rodeo grounds.

Pro Rodeo resumes on muddy fairgrounds after storm briefly stops Whoop-Up Days events on Thursday, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)
Warrior Relay Race teams prepare to race on a muddy track after a thunderstorm delayed the Whoop-Up Days rodeo, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)
The thunderstorm left a muddy track for Warrior Relay Race riders, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

The rain and mud didn’t stop Pro Rodeo or Warrior Relay Race participants from enjoying the ride.

“It’s really a big rush,” said Shelton Jackson, Warrior Relay Race athlete.

Spectators were also all smiles at the end of the night as they made their way across the muddy track after the eventful evening.

Spectators cross the muddy track after a thunderstorm at the Lethbridge and District Exhibition grounds, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

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