Calgary Stampede
from Joe Laratta

	Bucking Brono at the Calgary Stampede

Each year, the Calgary Stampede storms the city with a momentum that has wrangled up much interest since its first rodeo in September of 1912. Now held annually in July, the city relives its western heritage with an event that Calgary deems as "the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". The whole city gets involved with shops adding wooden, ranch-like storefronts, restaurants transforming into saloons, and people sportin' western duds. But don't expect any tumbleweeds. Calgary is a modern urban centre with plenty of amenities to serve its nearly one million residents. In spite of its large population, the city remains true to its down home friendliness and offers a big-hearted, western welcome to all who visit. And the spirit is contagious.

Calgary is no stranger to welcoming the world. The very successful 1988 Winter Olympics put Calgary on the map, and in 1997, the city was host to the World Police Fire Games. But it is the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede that best defines the city and continues to attract millions each year.

HISTORY

The Calgary Stampede was the brainchild of Guy Weadick, an enterprising cowboy and promoter who lobbied four of Calgary's wealthiest pioneers to fund his idea of a Wild West extravaganza. Four prominent Calgary businessmen, known as the Big Four--consisting of ranchers George Lane and A.J. McLean, beef processor Pat Burns, and brewery owner A.E. Cross--provided Weadick with $100,000 to hold the first Calgary Stampede. Since then, the annual event has grown to attract millions of visitors from all over the world, injecting over $125 million annually into Calgary's economy.

IN THE CORRAL

The fun kicks off on Friday, July 4, 2008, with the Stampede Parade. Comprised of more than 160 entries and involving more than a thousand horses and four thousand people, the parade typically takes two hours to cross a single point. The parade is free to watch from the street side for those who get there early enough to find a spot. Tickets for assigned bleacher seating are available in advance from Ticketmaster. The Stampede festivities wrap up at midnight, ten days later on July 13, 2007.

Considered the world's richest rodeo, awarding one million in prize money, the Calgary Stampede attracts the world's top cowboys and cowgirls to compete in events that include saddle, bareback and bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. Rodeo events begin each day at 1:30pm.

The Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Race at the Calgary Stampede Photo Courtesy Trevor Millions

The Stampede's most celebrated, and controversial event is the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Race, or simply the Chucks, which occur every night at 8pm in the Grandstand. A Stampede event since 1923, the race begins with outriders loading up tent poles and stoves into chuckwagons that are driven by one cowboy and pulled by four horses. Four chuckwagons then race around two barrels in a figure eight.

In the past, the excitement was met with some controversy. July 10, 1986, saw the worst incident when a pile-up resulted in the death of six horses. Since then, new rules and regulations have been applied, making the event safer.

Following the Chucks, spectators are invited to stay and watch world-class The Young Canadians perform their annual Grandstand Show, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Tickets for the rodeo or Chuckwagon performances include admission to the main gates of Stampede Park. Tickets for afternoon rodeo events or the Chucks plus evening entertainment are available in advance from Ticketmaster.

MORE THAN HORSES

While visitors come for the rodeo, they stay for the array of midway games and rides as well as agricultural exhibits and a plethora of free shows that are all on the grounds. There are a number of performance areas within the park featuring entertainment throughout the ten-day festival, including high profile pop, rock and, of course, country music entertainers. The Coca-Cola Stage features big names in pop and rock, such as SUM 41, The Tea Party and Nelly Fertado. Children's performers, like Fred Penner, light up the stage during the day. More true to the Stampede tradition is Nashville North--a licensed tented venue open until the wee hours-with country stars like Gord Bamford, Aaron Pritchett, Patricia Conroy, Carroll Baker and so many more.

There are events and exhibitions for every age and for every taste. Find a premier art and photo competition only yards away from a sheep-shearing competition. There is also a lumberjack competition, a youth talent show, a casino, a science and technology exhibition, and many other attractions.

	A First Nations Dancer at the Calgary Stampede's Indian Village Photo Courtesy Trevor Millions

A highlight for some is the Indian Village--a traditional First Nations settlement comprised of teepees and traditional clothing. Visitors can also sample traditional First Nation foods, such as pemmican.

Stampede Park is large in scope and contains enough variety of events and sights to warrant at least two days worth of wandering. Daily gate admission does include in and out privileges so visitors can leave and return to the park later that day.

Visitors are required to pay general gate admission to enter the grounds. Non-rodeo entertainment, such as Indian Village, Coca-Cola Stage, Nashville North, Superdogs, is free with general gate admission. Midway rides cost extra. Instead of buying tickets for rides, the Stampede now uses Magic Passes, which work like a debit or credit card. Cards are purchased with a chosen number of credits. The card is swiped at each ride and credits are deducted. There are a variety of midway specials, such as Kids Day, Pay One Price (and ride all day), and Safeway Advance Stampede Magic Passes (available from any Safeway grocery store). For tourists, the Stampede also offers vacation packages that include accommodation, rodeo events, gate admission and other tours and activities. Additional information may be found on the official Stampede website.

GUT BUSTIN'

As quintessential to the Calgary Stampede as the chuckwagons, the Stampede breakfast is a tasty tradition comprised of pancakes (also known as flapjacks) and sometimes bacon, sausages and eggs. These free-of-charge breakfasts are held all over the city, sponsored by businesses and communities throughout Calgary. The tradition of the Stampede breakfast is said to have begun in 1923 with "Wildhorse Jack" Morton, one of the west's legendary cowboys, who served flapjacks out of his chuckwagon.

Many restaurants around town serve the traditional barbequed beef on a bun, often with a side of baked beans and coleslaw. The more adventurous can try prairie oysters, a cowboy delicacy that involves bull testicles. Find them at restaurants such as Buzzard's, which holds an annual Testicle Festival.

The Octopus Ride at the Calgary Stampede Midway

While not indigenous to the Wild West or the Stampede, there are some foods that many locals consider synonymous with the Calgary Stampede. Long lines form for mini donuts--tasty, small donuts fried before-your-eyes and then rolled in sugar and cinnamon. Along the same lines, Beaver Tails are plate-sized, flat pieces of fried dough doused in butter, sugar and cinnamon. On the savoury side corn dogs, sold almost every five feet, consist of hot dogs on sticks that have been battered and deep-fried. Choose from single dogs to gigantic double dogs. Cotton candy, candy apples, French fries, hamburgers, pizza and a variety of other tasty treats are also available.

Those who would rather have their heart attack on the midway rides than from the food can find healthier fare inside the Big Four building, offering a dining room and lounge with a full menu, lunch and dinner buffet. The Clubhouse Dining Room (Grandstand Level 4) also has a daily brunch as well as a prime rib dinner buffet. There are many places throughout the grounds that serve up wholesome all-beef hamburgers, such as the Kingsford Cookshack located across from Nashville North. Burns Meat Market, located in Weadickville on the grounds, has a large selection of hot dogs, sub sandwiches and salads at very reasonable prices. Weadickville also has an ice cream parlour, general store and Weston's Bakery.

Thirsty? Look for big beer barrels serving frothy root beer. For adults, The Cantina and the Bud Big Rig serve ice cold beer.

HOOFING IT AROUND TOWN

While the scheduled events take place in the Stampede Grounds, the fun spills out into the entire city, as businesses and bars deck out in country flair. Swanky lounges transform into saloons, corporate buildings build ranch-fencing facades and blue jeans, cowboy boots, stetsons and bolo ties become the uniform of the day. Many businesses get in on the act and offer barbeques and western lunches for staff.

Nights are filled with music and two stepping as nightclubs and restaurants enjoy a boom of prosperity. The Stampede is really a 10-day citywide party.

OF CHAPS AND COWBOY HATS

Stampede attire varies from western movie clichés to the simple jeans and cowboy hat uniform. Many people dress up for work, going out on the town, or heading down to the grounds. Visitors who have forgotten their cowboy hats need not worry as they are for sale at the grounds, in western shops and on street corners. Those too shy to sport western wear won't stand out too much unless they are wearing a suit. Stampede week attire is casual. Chaps and spurs optional.

	Cowboy Boots are always appropriate in any climate at the Calgary Stampede

PACK YER SLICKER

As for weather, expect the unexpected. Weather during the Calgary Stampede is always a surprise. Sometimes this means scorching hot days, other times torrential rains. While locals like to reminisce about the time it snowed during Stampede, this is not the norm. What is the norm is a mix of weather. Visitors will likely experience the sun's blazing rays as well as rainy days during their stay. However, with an average daily high of 23°C (73°F), days are generally pleasantly warm. Because of Calgary's proximity to the Rocky Mountains, evenings are considerably cooler, averaging 9°C (49°F). On average, July receives 68 mm (2.7 ins) of precipitation. To be prepared, pack a light jacket, umbrella, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. Dressing in light layers is always recommended.

BUNKING DOWN

The Calgary Stampede is possibly the city's busiest time of year, and thus accommodations can be hard to come by. Visitors should plan well in advance and make reservations to avoid disappointment. Calgary does have a large variety of accommodations, in and out of the city. If vacancies are at a premium, try towns that are in Calgary's outskirts, such as Bragg Creek, Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotoks and High River--all under 30 minutes drive of Calgary's city limits for those with motor vehicles.

SADDLE UP

Centrally located within the city, the Stampede Grounds are easily accessible. Those with a vehicle can drive but parking on the grounds is limited. Entrepreneurial locals surrounding the park also open up their parking lots and driveways to accommodate the increase in traffic and to make a buck or two. However, these can be quite costly, and the area is often congested. A better alternative is public transportation. The C Train has a line that runs directly to the grounds. Some accommodations are walking distance from the line, while those who are further out can park in C Train lots and ride in.

Besides the Stampede, there are a number of wonderful attractions in and around Calgary. Read about them in WorldWeb.com's Calgary - A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide Review article.

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