Travel Canada: The Calgary Stampede

May 26
07:14

2005

Jean Sutherland

Jean Sutherland

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Welcome travelers to Cowtown, Canada! This two-week long festival starting the first Friday after June 2nd can showcases everything under the sun to do with ranching. Here is a short description of the attractions, events and festivities this world-renowned event has to offer.

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Travel Canada: Stampede Parade

Those traveling from outside of Canada have most likely already seen a Stampede Parade: the estimated TV audience is well over 2 million people at last count. But nothing compares to seeing this kick off party in person! Visitors in attendance will view over 160 entries that can include marching bands,Travel Canada: The Calgary Stampede Articles large horses, the RCMP, and the Stampede Queen and Princesses.

Travel Canada: Chuckwagon Races

The end of every Stampede evening in Calgary, Canada begins with the chuckwagon races – an event travelers flock to by the droves. Nine heats of four wagons and 16 outriders compete starting at 8:00pm in the Grandstand at Stampede Park, and afterwards partygoers are treated to live music, entertainment, and fireworks.

Travel Canada: Stampede Breakfasts

A not-to-miss, every morning event at Stampede, visitor to Calgary, Canada, can eat breakfast for free at one of the several hundred Stampede Breakfasts around town. Pancakes, juice and entertainment is shared, free of charge, to tens of thousand of attendees on a daily basis, all in the spirit of the Wild West.

Travel Canada: The Million Dollar Rodeo

The Stampede rodeo has been wowing travelers to Calgary, Canada, since 1912, with saddle bronc, bareback, bull and barrel riding, along with some tie-down roping and steer wrestling to boot. Over 50 of the world’s best compete yearly for the largest purse of a regular season professional rodeo.

Travel Canada: Old Time Rigs

Have you ever wanted to ride a horse-drawn rig, and see the sights of the Old, Wild West? Well, if you get your free tickets early, you can. Volunteers start corralling people at the NE corner of Fluor Rope Square at 8:30am every Stampede morning, and travelers to the Canadian city can grab them on a first come, first served basis. The tour starts at 9:30am promptly, and takes travelers to a free pancake breakfast and a short, one hour tour of the downtown area of Calgary, Canada. Visitors are then dropped off at Stampede Park at the main north entrance when finished.

Travel Canada: Square Dancing

Every day, from 10:00 – 12:00 noon, travelers to Canada’s Stampede can learn how to square dance from the pro’s. The corner of Stephen Avenue and 1st Street SW (across from the Bay) hosts this all ages, all experience level fun time, cowboy style.

Travel Canada: Western Showcase

Like many large exhibitions such as the Calgary Stampede, travelers to the Canadian event can view the arts and crafts that present and preserve the Western Heritage. Cooking shows, live entertainment (such as Cowboy Poetry), photo exhibits and original western art are all proudly displayed for the world to see in Hall D of the Roundup Centre.