Calgary Stampede

Calgary is a city rich in oil, Western culture, and Wild West tradition, and nowhere is that more evident than the long-running, iconic Calgary Stampede! The Biggest Rodeo in Canada takes place each July with a full week of festivities and competitions. Although it has grown, the Stampede is a way that Calgarians keep their history of Cowboys, the Old West, and the rodeo as a part of their heritage.

It began in 1886 when Calgary had only a population of 1,000, as a way for the community to come together to share their knowledge and expertise in their agricultural practices. Today it is highlighted as one of Calgary’s top attractions. Initially, it was known as the “The First Calgary Exhibition” and was held annually.

As it grew, it was renamed by the government as “The Dominion Exhibit.” Guy Weadick was in a Western traveling show when he visited Calgary in 1908 and fell in love with the city and the wild west. He envisioned Calgary as the perfect place for a permanent Grand Old Western Exhibition and Cowboy Rodeo. He was able to convince four wealthy area businessmen and Ranch owners to invest in ” The Calgary Stampede.”

The names Patrick Burns, A.E. Cross, George Lane, and A.J. McLean are synonymous with founding what they hoped would be the greatest Western show of it’s kind in the world. Guy Weadick was the first organizer of The Stampede, and he became part of the show for his trick roping.

Although it has grown and modernized in many ways, it is a reminder of Calgary’s roots steeped in Western culture, complete with a grand rodeo, cowboys, and the importance of oil and agriculture. Even World War I did not put a halt to the Stampede. It kept going as a way to help support Patriotism and the war effort. A Grand Stampede was held to celebrate the end of World War I in 1919. World War II saw the Stampede become a true community event with a huge parade honouring the soldiers and military leaders as parade marshalls.

In 1946 Patsy Rogers was crowned the first Calgary Stampede Queen. The event sold tickets and raised money for local charities. The tradition continues today and has grown to include not just the Queen but also two Stampede Princesses. Also, the important addition of the First Nation Princess, created to represent the five nations that make up the Treaty 7 and the contributions they make to the Stampede and community. She will share the First Nation’s culture, language, and traditions throughout the year. Each year, the Queen and princesses take part in over 400 events to educate people about the culture, community, and the Calgary Stampede. The contestants compete in events such; as public speaking, impromptu speeches, and horsemanship before they are crowned.

As the Stampede has grown, it has expanded development to include the “Saddledome” Home to the Calgary Flames Hockey team in 1983 and became the location for the 1988 Winter Olympics Park. Canada won five medals in the Calgary Winter Olympic park for alpine skiing and figure skating. The Stampede celebrated its one-hundredth year running in 2012 with a record-setting admission of over 1,400,000 guests.

Although the Stampede is transformed each July for the Stampede, it remains a working Ranch. There are many community agricultural programs to maintain the lands, to raise and train new animals, to teach up and coming show men and women. In 2012 the Oh Ranch and its Brand and buildings were gifted to Calgary Stampede Foundation by Calgary businessman Bill Siebens. The properties and Ranch are a vital part of historical Calgary. The Calgary Stampede Foundation gift will secure the preservation of the Stampede, its lands, and the history of the Western culture for many years to come.

The Stampede grounds are host to year-round recreation and activities. In winter, there is the Olympic Park, which boasts skiing, skating, snowboarding, and a public luge. There is also the Saddledome, where you can take in a Calgary Flames hockey game.

The BMO Centre houses a casino, convention centre, and exhibition hall. The Stampede Grandstand waves in winners from the race track. The Stampede Market offers a vast indoor market showcasing local artisans of all sorts. The Western Oasis sells all Western-themed artwork, crafts, food, and wine with a reputation for exceptional quality; some vendors wait years for a market spot.

Where would visitors find games, food, and rides? At the Stampede Midway, of course. The Midway has been running since the beginning of the show. What started with a few rides like the Ferris wheel has exploded to include the Skyline and roller coasters with some real g-force. New and more exciting rides are added each year. Along with the standard cotton candy and caramel apples, new foods are created each year to tempt your taste buds, such as; deep-fried Twizzlers, Bacon-onion rings on a stick, deep-fried artichoke hearts, and many more.

Of course, the ten-day long Stampede runs in July, but many other shows, concerts, and events take place year-round. The Calgary Stampede Foundation established a Young Canadians School of Performing Arts to train up and coming young singers and dancers. It is open to youth from ages 7 to 19 and is run through a scholarship program, many hoping one day they will perform in one of the many Stampede shows. The Elbow River Camp is an “Indian Village” set up by the five nations of the Treaty 7, where they show traditional ways of life for Indian culture; set up tipis, have pow wows, make arts and crafts, showcase traditional life. It has become one of the Stampede’s most popular attractions.

Today over 2,500 volunteers are a big part of making the Stampede happen each year, along with some 300 full-time and 1,400 part-time employees. Over 3,000 more seasonal workers are brought on just for the Stampede itself, and this is where many of Calgary’s youth get their first job. The Stampede still remains true to its roots, keeping the community forefront, and the pancake breakfasts held throughout different locations in Calgary is a way for locals to give back to their community.

One of the largest takes place at the Chinook Centre mall and feeds pancakes to over 60,000 people. The Stampede Showband started in 1971 with over 150 members ranging in age from 16-21; they have won the title of world champion of marching bands six times. They perform over 100 appearances at the Stampede and also year-round. 

The Calgary Stampede has been named the highest money-making festival in Canada, and that helps to promote tourism in Canada and, of
course, Calgary too.

Check out the Calgary Tower which is in Calgary AB too.

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