Telling Our Stories:

    "Lexlexey'em"

In about 1970, it was during the Williams Lake Stampede Parade. We were starting the Stampede celebrations by having a few beers at the Ranch Hotel Bar on Oliver Street. Someone came in and mentioned that the parade was going by just outside the bar. We all got up and went out to watch a bit of the parade. While we were out on the sidewalk watching Robert came up already well into the festival celebrations. The A&W Root Bear just happen to be going by in the parade. Someone called Robert and offered Robert a 26 oz. of wine if he would go out and wrestle the A&W bear down. Robert smiled and chuckled and said ‘you’re on’.

Robert staggered somewhat on his way out, but managed to get a hold of the bear. They began wrestling back and forth on the street. Robert was having a hard time holding on to the bear. People began cheering. It looked like Robert was going to lose the match, then all of a sudden the bear lost its balance and fell to the street. A roar came up from the crowd lining the street. You could almost see steam and smoke coming from the collar of the A&W bear. Robert came laughing and hollering back to the sidewalk. Robert won his bottle of wine. Actually, I was the one who had to buy him the bottle of wine.

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