The Alix Rodeo Experience

    Nestled in Central Alberta, the Village of Alix may be small in population, but its history and community spirit cast a massive shadow. From its early origins to the flying dirt of its modern-day rodeo arena, Alix is a community that remembers where it came from and works tirelessly to preserve its western heritage.

The Foundations of Alix

    The story of Alix is deeply rooted in the settlement of the Canadian West. When the area was first being settled, it briefly carried the name Toddsville, honoring an early settler named Joseph Todd. However, when the community officially incorporated as a village on June 3, 1907, the name was changed to Alix.

    This change was made by the president of the Canadian Pacific Railway to honor Alexia Westhead, a trailblazing figure who was the first white female settler in the community. Alexia wasn't just a figurehead; she was a true pioneer of the era who actively ran the prominent Westhead Ranch. Her adventurous spirit didn't stop in Alberta, either. In 1913, she moved back to England to manage an estate, and during the First World War, she reportedly captured two German prisoners of war—earning her formal thanks from the British government!

Agricultural Deep Roots

    From the very beginning, Alix has been defined by its agricultural strength and community gatherings. Robert Sanderson, the very first mayor of the newly named community (and the proprietor of the local general store), also served as the first president of the Alix Agricultural Society.

    The Society held its first official show in 1909 inside a building right on Main Street, and they even hosted races down the main thoroughfare. By 1910, the organization had purchased 14 acres of land near Diamond Lake (now known as Alix Lake) for the agricultural fair and rodeo grounds, cementing a permanent home for western sports in the village.

    Through over a century of dedication, the Alix Agricultural Society has maintained these grounds and expanded their events, ensuring that the legacy of those early pioneers lives on every time the chutes open for a CARA-sanctioned rodeo today.

A Sight for Sore Eyes: Returning to Alix

    Pulling into Alix on Friday night for the 2026 rodeo was a sight for sore eyes. It has been many years since my last drive through the village, and finally having the opportunity to stop, stay a while, and see what the community has to offer was incredibly rewarding.

    The first thing that hits you when you pull into the Alix Agricultural Society grounds is the sheer scale and quality of the facility. These are not your average rural fairgrounds—they are absolutely incredible. Immediately upon parking, you are greeted by a sprawling, near-new playground already packed with kids. The grounds offer acres of land, featuring a massive warm-up arena for the horses right at the entrance, and plenty of space for families to camp and fully immerse themselves in the weekend's events.

    Anchoring the property is a beautiful main building that any agricultural society in the province would be immensely proud of. Proving that this is a community always looking forward, they even unveiled plans on Saturday for upcoming renovations. Reviewing the proposed pictures, the plans look fantastic—not a massive, unnecessary money pit, but a thoughtful, practical upgrade designed to provide a little more cover from the weather and elevate the experience for everyone.

The Arena and The Respect

    When it comes to the action, the Alix rodeo arena is gorgeous. Framed by heavy-duty 2W steel most of the way around, it is built for serious competition. The back pens are exceptionally well-designed, offering plenty of covered room to ensure the stock never gets too hot before it's time to perform.

    But beyond the steel and the dirt, the true highlight of the weekend was the people. There were massive crowds, but they were, without a doubt, some of the most amazing, polite, and friendly folks you will ever encounter on the rodeo trail. Working behind a camera often means having to maneuver through tight spaces, and I have certainly been in arenas where getting in the way earns you an earful. Not in Alix.

    Every time I offered an apology for stepping in front of someone to get a shot, I was immediately met with, "No, no, no, you're here for a reason. We can look around you. It's okay." That level of genuine understanding and hospitality set a positive tone that lasted the entire weekend.

    Listening to the casual conversations in the stands behind me—parents thoughtfully talking to their kids, kids respectfully talking to their parents—it was clear that this is a community built on solid values. Nobody was disrespectful to one another, and crucially, nobody was disrespectful to the facility. Everyone seemed to care for the grounds as if they were their own backyard. I saw more people actively using garbage and recycling bins over the course of the weekend than I have at almost any other event.

A New Lens: Pivoting to Video

    Pulling up to Alix also marked a significant professional first for me. Knowing the Alix Rodeo already has a dedicated, long-standing resident photographer, the last thing I wanted to do was step on any toes. After a quick, respectful conversation with them and the Ag Society, we struck a perfect balance: I would dedicate the weekend entirely to shooting video.

    With PhotoServe currently working behind the scenes to get me set up for video monetization, this was the perfect opportunity to practice the craft and embrace a new challenge. I mounted my Canon R7 alongside my DJI equipment on a tripod, and for the first time in a long time, I didn't have to squint through a tiny viewfinder. There are definitely ups and downs—it is a steep learning curve that highlighted a few new tools and different lenses I might want to invest in down the road—but the R7 made capturing the action surprisingly quick and easy. It was a refreshing, unique way to document the dirt.

The Rise of the Cowgirl

    When focusing that video camera on the chutes, I have to give a massive shout-out to the women who backed in this weekend. With the rodeo world increasingly recognizing the incredible talent of female athletes, the entries in Alix were phenomenal.

    Even with the Rimbey County Fair hosting a dedicated Ladies Cow Riding Canada event simultaneously, it didn’t pull numbers away from Alix; if anything, it seemed to fuel the fire. Instead of the usual three or four entries, we saw packed sheets with a full eight women tying their hands into the rigging each day. Seeing that level of grit and the explosive growth of the Ladies Cow Riding event was absolutely incredible.

    It is a rare and beautiful thing to see a community so deeply invested in both its heritage, its home, and the future of the sport. The 2026 Alix Rodeo was a phenomenal experience, proving that a village rooted in action—and respect—will always put on an unforgettable show.

    As the summer season winds down, this will be my final Central Alberta Rodeo Association (CARA) article for the year. The association decided to move to a formal media bid process for photography at the upcoming finals, and while I put forward a proposal, I was not one of the successful bidders this season. However, I want to take a moment to say a massive thank you. It has been an absolute pleasure to cover the dirt, tell these stories, and get to know so many of you behind the chutes and in the stands. I truly appreciate everyone who has supported my work by purchasing images this summer, and I am excited to share that those new video features will hopefully be available for purchase soon. The positivity, respect, and deep roots of this western community have made this a phenomenal run. Thank you for an incredible season, and I hope to see you all back in the dirt next year.

Lee J. Kemp

Every Moment Is A Choice Studio 🔗 emiacstudio.ca

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