The Calgary Stampede
The tagline is "the greatest outdoor show on Earth"; most Calgarians would agree, though most would apply the label to more than just the rodeo it ostensibly refers to. Since 1912, the Stampede has become more than a rodeo; it's a civic party. The first week in July, banks, restaurants, bars, offices, the airport, and shops pile hay bales around their front doors and erect clapboard door frames over the modern glass and steel, and button-down office workers don their boots, hats, and jeans for a hootin' hollerin' good time. For Calgarians, Stampede is not a spectator sport: By lunchtime, most offices sit vacant as the majority of the working crowd have gone in for some serious "Stampeding" -- local code for going to (and staying too long in) -- the city's numerous (and packed) bars.
A curious counterpoint to all the nocturnal social activity is the Stampede tradition of a "Stampede breakfast." Served daily -- and early, and free! -- every day of the Stampede at parking lots, shopping malls, and corporate offices all over town, it usually consists of flapjacks, sausages, orange drink (not to be confused with juice), and coffee. There may be some kind of hangover remedy embedded in this combination -- heaven knows most of the indulgers could use it -- but one thing's certain: If you pay for a single breakfast during Stampede, you're just not paying attention. See www.flapjackfinder.com for complete listings and reviews of the nearly 100 breakfasts offered.
The main event, of course, is the rodeo, the largest and most prestigious of its kind in North America, in which cowboys from all over the world compete in such events as bull-riding, steer-roping, and chuck-wagon races for prize money totaling more than C$1 million.
Parts of Stampede Park, just off Macleod Trail (near 25th Ave. SW), become amusement areas, whirling, spinning, and rotating with rides. Other areas are just for the kids, who romp through Kids' World and the Petting Zoo. Still other sections host livestock shows, a food fair, handicraft exhibitions, an art show, lectures, a bazaar, a casino, lotteries, and entertainment on several stages.
Reserving accommodations well ahead is essential -- as many months ahead of your arrival as you can possibly foresee. Some downtown watering holes even take reservations for space at the bar; that should give you an idea of how busy Calgary gets.
The same advice applies to reserving tickets for Stampede events. Park admission is C$14 adults, and tickets to the top rodeo events begin at C$25 but go up from there, depending on the event, the seats, and whether the event takes place in the afternoon or evening. A number of centennial projects are also in the works for the 100th anniversary year in 2012 (visit their website closer to the date for details), which are sure to bring Calgary major global attention and make tickets extra hard to come by. For mail-order bookings, contact the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede (P.O. Box 1060, Station M, Calgary, AB T2P 2K8; tel. 800/661-1767; fax 403/223-9736; www.calgarystampede.com).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
