CALGARY -- A rodeo and outdoor festival in a community east of Calgary will be going ahead as planned this year, officials say. "We were thrilled to receive the letter from Dr. (Deena) Hinshaw that rodeo season is expected to go ahead this summer," said Ryan Schmidt, CEO of the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society (SDAS), in a release. "Athletes, fans and organizers across Alberta have been itching for this great news. We are full steam ahead planning an incredible weekend for our fans at the Strathmore Stampede." The SDAS says it was also buoyed by Alberta Health Services' (AHS) plan to "lift all attendance restrictions on rodeos" in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic by the end of July.