Kamloops Cowboy Festival hangs up the hat for good

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Cowboy Festival — a staple spring event in the local region — has taken its last ride.

Organizers have opted to cancel the yearly festival with no plans to bring it back after the pandemic.

First held in the Stockman’s Hotel in downtown Kamloops, the Cowboy Festival began in 1997 and celebrated the history, culture, and music of cowboys and ranchers in the region. President of the BC Cowboy Heritage Society, and Festival Chair Mark McMillan says it drew in thousands of people each year from B.C and Alberta.

“I mean it was great for Kamloops. Hotel rooms booking all over the place, and restaurants — busy, busy, busy. Yeah, it’s unfortunate.”

McMillan and his wife Kathy had been heavily involved with volunteering and organizing for years and planned to step down. According to McMillan, when this happened other members of the B.C. Cowboy Heritage Society weren’t able to take over.

“The other big problem is volunteers. Like every organization is feeling that nowadays,” he notes. “The younger generation just seems to be busy, and the older generation like myself are getting older.”

While the step back will provide welcome relief to the couple, McMillan says celebrating the community and being able to see the festival grow was extremely fulfilling.

Moving forward he says the museum in Williams Lake will likely take over the Society, the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame and student scholarships.