WELCOME RODEO FANS

Calgary Stampede

Each year, millions of visitors from around the world come to Calgary to partake in the annual event, the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition. As Calgary's most popular tourist attraction, 'the greatest outdoor show on earth' features a real rodeo, a midway (amusement park), concerts, chuckwagon races and more. The city of Calgary is transformed for 10 days into town celebrating the cowboy culture. Visitors will enjoy the atmosphere and always friendly attitude of the locals.

Rodeo is what the stampede is really known for and you won't be disappointed. Watch saddle bronc and bareback riding, and the thrilling bullriding. See the crazy clowns, wild cow milking and wild horse races. The Stampede Midway is undoubtedly the biggest crowd-pleaser - all the traditional carnival favourites. Save your appetite for corndogs, mini-doughnuts and many other appetizing treats the Stampede is known for.

Walk through an authentic Indian village and a recreated frontier town. In addition there are a variety of Animal and Agricultural Events, which include the World Champion Blacksmith's Competition, and contests for auctioneers and cutting horses. There are also purebred livestock shows and commercial exhibits. Whatever your tastes - there is something for everyone at the Calgary Stampede.

The Stampede Grounds are easily accessible by public transportation. The Calgary 'C Train' will take you directly to the grounds as will several bus routes. Parking is limited so public transit is a good alternative to driving. Ask at the place you are staying for the best route to the grounds. The celebrations are not restricted to the actual Stampede Grounds - the whole city joins in the fun. Many companies, shopping centres, accommodations and communities hold Stampede Breakfasts, so join in and pile on the pancakes. For a complete list of Stampede Breakfast locations, visit the Stampede 2006 Caravan Schedule.

As well as breakfasts there are many Stampede oriented events on around town. Many hotels hold special Stampede events, and don't forget to visit one of Calgary's famous western saloons such as Cowboys or Ranchman's. Dress in your best western wear and learn how to two-step. At Stampede, nearly everyone dresses Western, so bring along your cowboy/girl duds or have fun at local western stores shopping for boots, bolo ties and hats.

In 1908, when he approached CPR general livestock agent H. C. McMullen about holding a week-long rodeo in Calgary, Guy Weadick was a brash young trick roper performing at the Dominion Exhibition with the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show. Although McMullen thought the idea a good one, he did not feel Calgary's economy and the level of public interest were conducive to such an event. He did promise, however, to contact Weadick when the time seemed right. By 1912, Calgary was at the peak of an economic boom. Its population, a mere 4,000 in 1901, had surpassed 44,000. Encouraged by the popularity of rodeos in rural Alberta, and by the growing interest in wild west shows, McMullen notified Weadick as promised. Returning to Calgary, Weadick pitched his idea to the management of the Calgary Industrial Exhibition. The response was unenthusiastic. McMullen had greater luck when he turned to cattleman George Lane. Intrigued by Weadick's proposal, Lane contacted A. E. Cross and Pat Burns. A. J. McLean also expressed interest in the plan. Lane, Cross, Burns and McLean, soon known as the "Big Four", agreed to back a rodeo event to the extent of $1,000.

The first Calgary Stampede drew over 100,000 people into the city and grossed over $120,000. Hotel owners and merchants could not have been happier. The press, rodeo management and some other segments of the population, however, had reservations, noting that many events held during the Stampede had been disasters.While the Calgary Industrial Exhibition continued annually, it was not until 1923 that the Exhibition and the Stampede merged. The amalgamated "show" set the pattern for the Stampedes that followed. It included most of the Calgary Stampede's identifiable modern features, including the chuckwagon races and the traditional Stampede breakfast.

New buildings, bigger prize money, and record-breaking rodeo performances all marked the development and growth of the Stampede. The most significant indicator of the show's success remains, however, the number of people who attend. In 1976, Stampede organisers proudly noted that attendance had finally broken the one million mark. The Stampede, and the western image that it promotes, continue to be highly profitable to Calgary's economy.

The Stampede Parade
One thing you don't want to miss is the parade. It usually starts at around 9am (rain or shine) and with 160+ entries, is expected to last about two hours. Here is your one chance to see the chuckwagons moving slowly enough to take a picture. You will also see First Nations people in traditional dress, all the Rodeo and Stampede Royalty, floats and antique vehicles. The Rest of the Show
During Stampede time, the Caravan Committee Stampede Breakfasts consume more than 5 tons of pancake batter, 2 tons of bacon and sausage, 5,000 bottles of syrup and 85,000 containers of juice. The rodeo events are the mainstay of the festivites, but here are many things to do other than watching man (or woman) and beast interact. You will also find a midway with all of your favourite games and rides to keep you entertained. There is free entertainment including demonstrations, exhibits, a circa 1912 western town and a First Nations village where you can get a traditional fried bread called bannock. If nothing else you can walk downtown to see the entire town, people, stores, even lamp posts dressed up for the occasion. Jeans, cowboy boots and a WHITE stetson are the order of the day.

National Finals Rodeo - What is the National Finals Rodeo: Find out information on the Las Vegas superbowl of rodeo the National Finals Rodeo. The NFR takes place every Dec for 10 days in sin city Las Vegas drawing crowds of over 2 million people.