First Time at Calgary Stampede, AB

Alberta’s Highest-Prized Rodeo Takes Over Cowtown Every Summer

Aug 4, 2008 Lori Henry

Cowboys travel to Calgary, Alberta to compete in front of millions of people at the Calgary Stampede each July.

Dubbed “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Calgary Stampede has managed to impress the world since 1912. Over a million visitors don cowboy hats and enter Stampede Park beside Calgary’s downtown core. For first time travelers, follow this guide to get the most out of the Calgary Stampede.

Stampede Etiquette

Here are a few pointers to help you not stick out like a sore thumb:

Cowboy Hat: a must. They’re sold on street corners and retailers downtown.
Cowboy Boots: although not essential, cowboy boots will keep your swagger authentic and get you into the Western spirit.
Water and Sunscreen: basics, but lifesavers. Spending all day outside in the sun, dehydration and sunburns are common.
“Yee Haw”: no, people don’t walk around saying it, but warming up those vocal chords for a few good ‘Yee Haw’s” is certainly a good part of the fun.

Stampede Parade

The first Friday morning kicks off at 8:55am with the much-loved Stampede Parade. Dedicated regulars begin setting up their chairs along the 30-block (4.5 km) stretch the night before, while others will pay to reserve seats ($35 CDN per person).

Everyone else just gets close to their neighbours and enjoys the marching bands, floats, horses, western riders and entertainment for a full two hours.

Pancake Breakfasts

Stampede wouldn’t be complete without morning pancake breakfasts. For those who want it all, head to a hotel like the Fairmont Palliser for a deluxe breakfast of fruits, baked goods, eggs, screwdrivers, and of course, pancakes (reservations required).

Everyone else will head to street corners, malls downtown or Fluor Rope Square (called Olympic Plaza at other times of the year). Here, enthusiastic volunteers serve traditional pancakes and bacon from the back of chuckwagons.

If you’re lucky, be at Fluor Rope Square (at the northeast corner, across from City Hall) starting at 8:30am, where free tickets are handed out for an Old Time Rigs tour. At 9:30am, you’ll be taken across the street from the Palliser Hotel, where horse-drawn rigs leave at 10:00am.

The one-hour ride goes through Calgary’s streets, stopping traffic and eliciting “Yee Haw’s!” A pancake breakfast is served on-board and you can stay on to be taken right to Stampede Park.

Stampede Rodeo

Once you’ve made your way to Stampede Park (general admission is $13 CDN for adults), walk through the energetic grounds before the rodeo begins at 1:30pm. Watch cowboys get bucked off their broncs as they try to stay on for a thrilling eight seconds. Tickets for the rodeo are $23-$79 CDN, including park entry.

Chuckwagon Races

Come back at 8:00pm for the eventful Chuckwagon races. The crowd goes wild as they watch a team of four horses and outriders compete against three other teams in a flurry of stomping hooves and chaos, vying to cross the finish line first.

Grandstand Show

Stay for the outstanding evening Grandstand Show. Hundreds of performers grace the stage and dazzle the almost 150,000 audience members with singing, dancing, and entertaining feats. Fireworks accompany the choreography to elevate the show to an even greater height. Tickets for both the Chuckwagon races and Grandstand Show range from $34-$89 CDN, including park entry.

Nashville North

End the night at Nashville North, an enormous live music tent featuring world famous names and lots of beer. This is where the partiers and locals go to let loose.

Although cover is included in grounds admission, expect line-ups that can sometimes last for hours. Get there on preview night (the Thursday before Stampede begins) for quick entry.

The Calgary Stampede

With so much to do during the 10 day event, consult the Calgary Stampede website to book tickets and confirm times. Let Travel Alberta (1-800-ALBERTA) help you with travel plans to ensure you’re set. Then, let the part begin. Yee Haw!

The copyright of the article First Time at Calgary Stampede, AB in W Canada Travel is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish First Time at Calgary Stampede, AB in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Nashville North at the Calgary Stampede, Alberta	Marching Band at Stampede Parade, Calgary, Alberta	Rodeo at the Calgary Stampede, Alberta
Chuckwagon Race at the Calgary Stampede, Alberta	Grandstand Show at the Calgary Stampede, Alberta