10 Days of Excitment
Although the main events are held at the Stampede Grounds, the whole city takes part in one way or another. One of the big, family-friendly things that happens during these 10 days are the Stampede Breakfasts. They are held all over the place and they are free. No need for a bed and breakfast arrangement - just roll out of bed, get ur duds on, and head off to a mall, or just wander downtown until you find one. Of course, you might get tired of pancakes...
There's loads of information on the official Calgary Stampede website, so I'll give you the highlights and my personal take on it here.
So let's start with the basics - you have to be dressed right when you are here. In fact, you won't be able to go anywhere without running into cowboy hat, cowboy boot, jean-wearing citizens of and visitors to Calgary! Normally suit-wearing executives pull out out their checked shirts and snug Wrangler's and head off to work... or rather play... as there are so many activities around town that even if you are not on vacation, you do end up at some event or another during the day :)
Photo from Flickr
Stampede Essentials - What to Wear!
Or git ur Cowboy gear on, boyz n girlz
Adult Size Cowboy Hat
Amazon Price: $5.19 (as of 12/22/2009) 
Jr Cowboy HAT ONLY - Child Size (DCBHAT)(DA7)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Laredo 5742 Womens Western Cowboy Boots Tan, 7
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Laredo Men's Power Pack (Antique Tan 8.0 D)
Amazon Price: $100.00 (as of 12/22/2009)
The Optional Stuff
Don't forget your Wrangler's
Wrangler Men's Cowboy Cut Original Fit Jean
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Wrangler Women's Aura Average Rise Stretch Denim with Embroidered Pocket
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Western Crystal COWBOY BOOTS w/ SPURS NECKLACE in Cowboy Hat Gift Box
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/22/2009)
Western Crystal COWBOY HATS EARRINGS in Burgandy Cowboy Hat Gift Box!
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/22/2009)
Turquoise Polished Pewter Longhorn Skull Bolo Tie
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
The Parade
It all kicks off with a parade through downtown Calgary
This 10 day odyssey starts with the Stampede Parade. It is of course, a western-themed parade and is supposed to be the world's largest parade of this sort. It has its own website where you can find out all sorts of details, such as the parade route (basically it's along 6th Avenue, cuts down 10th St SW, and then goes along 9th Avenue), timings and where to get tickets for the stands.Photo from Flickr
The Stampede Grounds
You've arrived in Calgary, are at your hotel, or your friends...
Now where? Where is the actual Stampede? Well, all over really, but the main grounds are here: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1. I've included a snapshot of a Google map showing that area in this module. The Google maps module doesn't work yet for Canadian destinations so this is the best I can do.It's actually super-easy to get there... just hop on the C-train (the grounds are just south of downtown) and get off at one two stops - Victoria Park (main entrance) or Erlton/Stampede station. That's actually the best way to get to Stampede... parking, although available, is always a nightmare. And it'll cost you a lot less...
At the main grounds, you'll find the agricultural exposition (where else?) in the Agriculture building(s), the rodeo, chuckwagon races and Grandstand show in the Grandstand building(s), a casino and a kids-themed area in the Big Four building, stages where big name bands are featured in the evening, and which have entertainment all day, shopping in the Round-Up Centre, a Midway, and an Indian Village... plus more. I'm sure I've left a whole bunch of things out. Here's a map of the grounds from the official website.
It does cost you to enter the grounds... but if you are going to the rodeo, chuckwagon races or the Grandstand evening show, you just buy that ticket and the entrance to the park is "free". Info on the prices of tickets for the various events, and for general admission to the grounds again are listed on the official website, so I won't repeat it here.
And once you tire of the activities and events at the Grounds themselves, check out the rest of the city, especially downtown along Stephen Avenue and 17th Avenue. Both those big shopping areas are all decked out with Stampede "stuff", and all the bars and restaurants are buzzing. As well, there are often a number of street shows and buskers.
Stampede photos from Flickr
In, around and otherwise related to the Calgary Stampede
clowns earning their...
Calgary
and again
chaps
afterwards
got him
yeee haw
saddle bronc finals
bronc riding
coming in to turn on...
The Rodeo
A bit controversial
Once you've found the main Stampede grounds, then there's the question of what to do. There's the rodeo, the chuckwagon races, evening grandstand shows, an agricultural exposition, the midway, and so on. Let's start with the rodeo here...Not my favourite part of the Stampede personally, as I'm always scared that an animal is going to get hurt or killed, but many people enjoy it. And they apparently have vets, etc on site during all the shows, and people from animal protection agencies around to make sure that no animals are being mistreated, and if they are hurt, that they get attention right away.
So if you like such things as bullriding, bronc, steer wrestling or barrel racing, then the rodeo is for you. It's got its own info area on the Calgary Stampede website - here.
Photo from Flickr
The Chuckwagon Races
Now, I've only seen this event on TV, but it sure looks exciting. Of course, there is the same concern as for the rodeo - what if a horse get hurts? And sometimes they do :( At any rate, a team of four horses are hitched to a chuckwagon and race around a series of barrels at very high speeds. If that's your thing, then check it out!Photo from Flickr
Grandstand Shows
Every evening during Stampede, there is a "Grandstand show" which ranges from musical acts, to Cirque de Soleil type acts, to motorcycle stunts. Grandstand shows are on every night starting on the second night I believe. Oh and there's fireworks at the end of the show every evening. It lights up the whole downtown!Photo from Flickr
Downtown Activities
Stephen Avenue Mall
I mentioned earlier that Stephen Avenue and 17th Avenue are buzzing with activity during the Stampede as well. Well, this slightly blurry photo was one that I captured with my cell phone while dining out with my husband and my brother. We were sitting out on a restaurant patio (Milestone's I think it was) along Stephen Avenue when we heard a loudspeaker, and some Blues Brother music. Then up rolled a beat-up old police car (you can see it just entering the photo on the upper right) and a couple of guys in suits and sunglasses. Voila, free street entertainment courtesy of the "almost" Blues Brothers :)You'll also find all sorts of buskers (from bagpipes to balloon animals), and many of the bars and restaurants have some sort of "cowboy" themed entertainment on. And of course, all the shop clerks, waiting staff, etc are decked out in their cowboy/cowgirl finest.
Calgary Stampede UTube videos... or the Fun We All Get Up To...
It's a time for people to let their hair down... so to speak...
Places to Stay
Plan ahead... Well ahead... Unless you have friends/relatives here!
If you're travelling by RV, or otherwise roughing it, you might be able to find a space at some of the RV/trailer parks just outside of town, but those apparently too fill up quite quickly for the July period.
So, as I said, hopefully you have friends here you can stay with... or you might have to make friends quick with someone ;-)
Places to Eat
If you're tired of mini-doughnuts and corndogs...
- Parkerhouse Grill & Wine Bar
- Just opened recently, and I've only been there for lunch. The salmon burger is really good, and I've heard good things about the monkfish skewers, not to mention the beef anything. Oh, and did I mention, my husband works here?
- Murrieta's Bar & Grill
- West coast flare... interesting flavours and takes on things. I suppose I have a weakness for it, simply because I'm originally from the West Coast (that's coastal BC and the islands, for those of you who aren't Canadian) and some of the preparations remind me of "home". By the way, it's hard to find a real Calgarian in Calgary. Most of us are "Imports".
- The Tribune Steakhouse
- This used to be quite an old-school French/Italian restaurant where many of the dishes were "slow-cooked" (braised lamb, etc) and the service was long and luxurious. It has recently reinvented itself as a steakhouse, but retained many of the favourites on its menu. I've yet to go there since its reincarnation, but I'm sure the service and the food is still outstanding.
So What's the Weather like?
Variable is the word...
Current weather conditions in Calgary, Canada
Local Pollen Reports
-16°C (Feels like -24°C)
Last update: 12/22/09 10:00 PM Local Time
Humidity: 67%Visibility: Unlimited km
Dew Point: -20°C
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 1019.6mm N/A
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 19km/h From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: -18°C
Sunrise: 8:38 AM
Sunset: 4:32 PM
Wednesday
Dec 23
N/A
High: -13°C
Low: -21°C
Sunrise: 8:38 AM
Sunset: 4:33 PM
Thursday
Dec 24
AM Snow Showers
High: -7°C
Low: -12°C
Sunrise: 8:39 AM
Sunset: 4:33 PM
Friday
Dec 25
Mostly Sunny
High: -1°C
Low: -11°C
Sunrise: 8:39 AM
Sunset: 4:34 PM
Getting Around Calgary
If you'd rather use public transportation, you can use the C-train or the buses. C-train is short for "Calgary Train". The C-train is my personal favourite. If you are staying somewhere near the line, then use it. There are two lines - one which runs from downtown up to the northeast and one which runs from the northwest to the south east. Both run through downtown, and you can easily switch from one to another as need be, as they use the same platforms. The northeast line is the that the Calgary Zoo is on... and yes, they do things up for Stampede as well. You should definitely check it out if you're here for the all or part of the 10 days. The northwest-southeast line is the one which has the Stampede stops on it.
And of course, we have taxis... although during Stampede, sometimes they can be in short supply!
Planning to come by plane?
See what deals you can find...
Books on the Calgary Stampede
Celebrating the Calgary Stampede: The Story of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth (Amazing Stories)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Icon, Brand, Myth: The Calgary Stampede (The West Unbound: Social and Cultural Studies Series)
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/22/2009)
The Calgary Stampede: A Story Of The Canadian Plains
Amazon Price: $27.32 (as of 12/22/2009)
Calgary Stampede - What's your opinion?
"The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth" or "A Huge Waste of Time"
What do you think? Is the Calgary Stampede all it is hyped to be, or is it just an excuse for a party (and an overrated one at that)?
Got an opinion on the Calgary Stampede?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byThe Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!
ChrysW says:
A bit commercial... but what isn't these days? I still love the parade and the sense of fun around town during the Stampede!
Posted May 25, 2009
A Huge Waste of Time!
Stampede memoriabilia on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Stampede Blogs
See what people have to say about the Calgary Stampede
News Articles on the Calgary Stampede
A random selection of news articles talking about the Calgary Stampede
What Wikipeida has to say about the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede, which bills itself as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, is a large festival, exhibition, and rodeo held in Calgary, Alberta for 10 days every summer from early to mid-July, attracting more than 1.2 million visitors. It is one of Canada's largest annual events, and the world's largest outdoor rodeo. It features an internationally recognized rodeo competition, a midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, Chuckwagon races, First Nations exhibitions, and pancake breakfasts around the city, among other attractions. In 2006, record-breaking attendance at the 10-day rodeo and exhibition totalled 1,262,518. The Calgary Stampede Rodeo Committee was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008. The Stampede Parade which occurs on opening day, is one of the festival's oldest and largest traditions. It is led by the Calgary Stampede Showband and follows a 4.5 km route in downtown Calgary. Attendance at the parade is usually about 350,000. During Stampede Week, the city is flooded with tourists who join locals in the spirited atmosphere by dressing in western attire . A large number of businesses decorate their stores and offices in western style, usually starting in June and remaining to after the Stampede ends.
The Calgary Stampede takes place at the Stampede Park, located southeast of downtown Calgary in the Beltline District. The park is serviced by Calgary Transit's light rail system, the C-Train, as well as neighboring property owners who rent parking spaces during the 10 days of the festival. Permanent structures at the site include the Pengrowth Saddledome (hockey arena), the BMO Centre (a convention and exhibition facility), a new Stampede Casino, the grandstand/racetrack, the agriculture building, and a number of smaller buildings. A major expansion and upgrading of Stampede Park is currently underway. It will likely include a new hotel, a new "main street" retail and market area, a new agriculture building, underground parking, and an extensive re-landscaping of the outdoor areas.
Though some animal rights activists have criticized the rodeo and chuckwagon races, the Calgary Stampede maintains a very high level of community support and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world.
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Yaaa-Hooo! Hope you enjoyed this lens...
Have you been to the Stampede? Planning to go?
I hope you liked my fast and furious overview of the Calgary Stampede. There are just so many things to see and do - in Calgary and at the Stampede! I certainly haven't mentioned everything Stampede, but I've tried to include as much as I can recall... Do you know of any other info I should include?
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Reply
- Rimcor Rimcor Jun 8, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
- Well done! Calgary can be interesting at any time - Stampede is a highlight for sure!!
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Reply
- Joan4 Joan4 May 30, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
- Looks like a ton of fun to me!! Enjoyed your lens!
by ChrysW
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