Calgary Stampede

Everybody wears cowboy hats!

The Rodeo is the best.

There was a young lady who came to the US to teach for a couple of years, She lives in Calgary and wants me to visit her sometime and has said that we would go to the Stampede. She told me that I would absolutely love it. I hope to go sometime.
Of course I want to see her again. She is one of my best friends.

I’ve always hated being in crowds but I make an exception for the Stampede. It truly is the greatest outdoor show on Earth.

I especially enjoy the carnival foods-corn dogs, donnairs, cotton candy-but my favorite attractions are the vendors selling their wares in the Roundup Centre, the Coca-Cola Stage and the Grand Stand Show.

But we were visiting friends in Calgary who INSISTED. More cowboy hats than Texas. And an AMAZING little device that makes tiny doughnuts. Yum.

And we watched a couple exhibitions that were remarkable, that really changed my mind about rodeos. I expected the macho BS of brutalizing creatures that had been purposely enraged for sport. I bet there was some of that too but there were also events where a human and creature interacted on this very intimate and personal way. Like where a dog divides up a flock of sheep and aims them into a pen. Or folks on horseback do all sorts of crazy stuff with another big herd of cattle. Or there was this elderly man, dressed entirely in black who showed a prize goat, paraded him around the ring, proud, their steps in sync. I can still see that guy.

Plus did I mention those amazing little doughnuts?

Go to the stampede, and during the afternoon, go to the grandstand and buy rush seating tickets for the chuckwagon races! This is totally worth it because you also get to watch the “light up the night” show. You will totally enjoy this! It is fun to stand in front of the stage during the show, as it is like standing at the edge of the stage for Cats or another broadway show!

That’s a mighty big claim. It is though. The best rides, the best exhibits, the best rodeo, the best music, and of course, the best beer.

I worked on the Park during 3 Stampedes. It was as much fun to work as to play. Calgary rocks!

I can’t say enough about this. Buy a good hat and just spend your week there! See the rodeo, the chuckwagon races, and the Grand Stand show.

Totally worth visiting. I’ve lived my whole life in Calgary but I still try to make it to the cheezy tourist trap at least once per year. It reminds me why Calgary is so great!

I went to the Stampede many many times when I was a kid and lived in Calgary. It was always the highlight of my summer!

As an adult, I just love the cheezy pleasures of tourist watching and eating completely greasy food.

The rodeo part is pretty neat, and certainly one of a kind in Canada! Chuckwagon races are a lot of fun for everyone to watch.

Worth checking out if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t drive from anywhere else to see it. It’s a lot like any other town fair!