Calgary Stampede
calgary stampede annual rodeo exhibition festival held every july calgary alberta canada tenday event bill greatest outdoor show earth attracts one million visitor per year feature one world largest rodeo parade midway stage show concert agricultural competition chuckwagon racing first nation exhibition calgary stampede inducted prorodeo hall fame event root traced calgary district agricultural society held first fair american promoter guy weadick organized first rodeo festival known stampede returned calgary organize victory stampede honour soldier returning world war weadicks festival became annual event merged calgary industrial exhibition create calgary exhibition stampede organized thousand volunteer supported civic leader calgary stampede grown one world richest rodeo one canada largest festival significant tourist attraction city rodeo chuckwagon racing event televised across canada however target increasing international criticism animal welfare group politician concerned particular event well animal right organization seeking ban rodeo general calgary national international identity tied event known stampede city carry informal nickname cowtown local canadian football league team called stampeders city take party atmosphere stampede office building storefront painted cowboy theme resident western wear event held across city include hundred pancake breakfast barbecue calgary district agricultural society formed promote town encourage farmer rancher eastern canada move west society held first fair two year later attracting quarter town resident acquired land bank elbow river host exhibition crop failure poor weather declining economy resulted society ceasing operation land passed briefly future prime minister r b bennett sold city area called victoria park queen victoria newly formed western pacific exhibition company hosted first agricultural industrial fair exhibition grew annually government canada announced calgary would host federally funded dominion exhibition year seeking take advantage opportunity promote city spent c build six new pavilion racetrack held lavish parade well rodeo horse racing trick roping competition part event exhibition success drawing people fairground seven day despite economic recession afflicted city guy weadick american trick roper participated dominion exhibition part miller brother ranch real wild west show returned calgary hope establishing event accurately represented wild west show part initially failed sell civic leader calgary industrial exhibition plan assistance local livestock agent h c mcmullen weadick convinced businessmen pat burn george lane j mclean e cross put guarantee funding event big four came known viewed project final celebration life cattleman city built rodeo arena fairground people attended sixday event september watch hundred cowboy western canada united state mexico compete prize event generated revenue hailed success weadick set planning stampede promoting event across north america however big four interested hosting another event businessmen winnipeg convinced weadick host second stampede city show failed financially third attempt held new york state suffered fate weadick returned calgary gained support e l richardson general manager calgary industrial exhibition two convinced numerous calgarians including big four back great victory stampede celebration canada soldier returning world war stampede successful held onetime event richardson convinced could profitable annual event found little support concept within board director calgary industrial exhibition however declining attendance mounting financial loss forced exhibition board reconsider richardson proposal annual meeting richardson proposed merging two event trial basis weadick agreed union created calgary exhibition stampede combined event first held weadick encouraged city resident dress western clothes decorate business spirit wild west civic leader truly supported event first time mayor george webster followed costume suggestion allowed downtown road closed two hour morning sixday event accommodate street party new sport chuckwagon racing introduced proved immediately popular people attended event earned profit people attended success guaranteed stampede exhibition would held together permanently attendance grew annually throughout peaking onset great depression resulted attendance decline financial loss consecutive year loss exhibition board forced make cutback decision strained relationship board weadick furthering divide weadicks growing resentment board control considered event issue came head weadick richardson engaged loud argument situation ending weadicks threat quit entirely one month later exhibition board announced relieved duty angered decision weadick sued exhibition board citing breach contract unfair dismissal claim upheld court awarded plus legal fee embittered event weadick remained odds board year invited stampede honoured guest parade marshal least seven movie filmed stampede profitable silent film calgary stampede used footage rodeo exposed people across north america event hollywood star foreign dignitary attracted stampede bob hope bing crosby served parade marshal queen elizabeth ii prince philip made first two visit event part tour canada queen also opened stampede discovery leduc oil well major reserve turner valley area southwest city ushered period growth prosperity calgary transformed agricultural community oil gas capital canada city population nearly doubled calgary immigrant population embraced stampede encouraged friend family home town represented golden age calgary stampede attendance record broken nearly every year overall attendance increased growth necessitated expansion exhibition ground seat stampede corral completed largest indoor arena western canada housed calgary stampeders hockey team operated board governor western hockey league championship act minneapolis symphony orchestra louis armstrong played corral although arena poor acoustic frequent concern organizer patron improvement made grandstand race track rebuilt big four building named honour stampede benefactor opened serve city largest exhibition hall summer converted sheet curling facility winter improvement failed alleviate pressure growth caused chronic parking shortage inability accommodate demand ticket rodeo grandstand show continued attendance continued grow throughout topping first time reaching organizer expanded event six day nine ten following year stampede exceeded one million visitor first time park meanwhile continued grow roundup centre opened new exhibition hall olympic saddledome completed saddledome replaced corral city top sporting arena facility hosted hockey figure skating event winter olympics maintaining traditional focus agriculture western heritage remained priority calgary stampede city grew major financial oil hub western canada aggie day program designed introduce urban schoolchildren agriculture introduced proved immediately popular tenyear expansion plan called horizon released detailing plan grow stampede park yearround destination calgarians updated plan released calgary exhibition stampede organization dropped word exhibition title since known simply calgary stampede attendance plateaued around million since however stampede set attendance record celebrating centennial anniversary severe flooding calgary two week july opening stampede caused significant damage ground stampede official promised however event would staged planned main event concert scheduled saddledome cancelled due flood damage facility event relocated location april stampede cancelled first time almost century due covid pandemic communityoriented event held compliance alberta public health order organized original date stampede including popup drivethroughs offering pancake midway food staple maintaining event firework show cancellation made significant economic impact recent edition contributed million province economy april alberta chief medical officer health deena hinshaw projected province could lift restriction gathering latejune premier jason kenney stated province could begin least two third resident vaccinated however soon afterwards province began enact stricter public health order control major ongoing wave infection may stampede announced plan hold inperson event structure event would different comply whatever public health order effect may alberta government announced revised open summer plan easing public health order would allow majority restriction lifted two week eligible resident receive least one vaccine dose provided hospitalization continue decline later announced restriction would fully lifted july despite lifting public health restriction measure social distancing would still encouraged capacity stampede park would therefore controlled would prepurchased entry ground reduced capacity event citing participant would enough time prepare stampede short notice due chuckwagon racing event leading cancelled rangeland derby cancelled second year row admission nashville north would openair stage rather tent required proof vaccination negative rapid test mayor calgary issue permit occur public street stampede parade downsized held broadcastonly event within stampede park public spectator admitted compensate cancellation rangeland derby bronc riding event added rodeo evening session decision go stampede met mixed reaction including concern could become superspreading event alberta reopening criterion based first vaccine dose fully vaccinated also criticism chuckwagon racing community cancellation rangeland derby july alberta health service stated officially attributed case covid stampede total attendance parade serf official opening stampede begin shortly first friday event year feature different parade marshal chosen reflect public interest time politician athlete actor dignitary served marshal event feature dozen marching band float hundred horse entrant around world combine western theme modern one cowboy first nation dancer member royal canadian mounted police red serge joined clown band politician business leader first stampede parade held attended people greater city population time many people attended parade presence prince william catherine duke duchess cambridge parade part tour canada increased attendance record estimate parade downsized closed public due covid pandemic rodeo heart calgary stampede one largest famous event kind world prize winner major discipline total championship day alone also offer richest payout cowboy consider performing front fan daily highlight rodeo season six major discipline – bull riding barrel racing steer wrestling tie roping saddle bronc bareback riding – four novice event – junior steer riding novice bareback novice saddle bronc wild pony racing event organized tournament cowboy girl divided two pool first pool competes night first four night second night four night following top four pool advance sunday final remainder compete saturday wild card spot final competitor best time score sunday win grand prize livestock rodeo event come acre km stampede ranch located near town hanna ranch created mean improving quality bucking horse bull guarantee supply first kind north america stampede ranch operates breeding program produce top rodeo stock world supply rodeo throughout southern alberta far south la vega weadick credited inventing sport chuckwagon racing inspired either seeing similar event gleichen stampede watching impromptu race grew devised sport new exciting event newly joined exhibition stampede weadick invited rancher enter wagon crew compete total prize money officially called rangeland derby nicknamed halfmile hell dash cash chuckwagon racing proved immediately popular quickly became event largest attraction six team raced today rangeland derby consists team competing million prize money joe carbury voice rangeland derby year distinctive voice signature phrase theyre offfffffff announce start race made local legend earned induction alberta sport hall fame chuckwagon driver auction advertising space wagon year stampede first advertisement tarp cover chuckwagon made lloyd nelson last person win rangeland derby without sponsored wagon current practice selling advertising via tarp auction began revenue generated auction record million stampede considered indicator strength calgary economy rangeland derby cancelled due covid pandemic agricultural exhibition first launched alberta overwhelmingly rural province today agricultural producer make less two percent province population exhibition remains integral part calgary stampede nearly stampede visitor visit agriculture zone display demonstration well western event numerous competition held part exhibition american national cutting horse association sanction world series cutting event world championship blacksmith competition used held attracting top blacksmith around world farm ranch demonstration feature numerous breed livestock along stock dog trial team penning competition additionally exhibition serf educate public alberta ranching agricultural heritage along modern food production display event like agtivity city stampede work alberta h club encourage youth participation agricultural pursuit calgary stampede midway operated north american midway entertainment predecessor conklin show since midway part event operated forprofit basis considered essential component stampede separate predominantly western theme midway open thursday night event begin known sneakapeek night addition traditional ride carnival game midway feature four concert area nashville north large party tent made debut country music venue followed oneyear later known cocacola stage offer music act across variety genre saddledome host headlining act including garth brook beach boy booked stampede th anniversary stampede newest concert venue big four roadhouse opened stampedetime yearround event stampede market located bmo centre northwest corner park offer square metre sq ft retail space began highlighting local artisan western oasis subsection market offer cowboy westernthemed artwork bronze statue craftwork food wine lured opportunity show ware one million people attend stampede vendor wait year gaining admittance consider one prime event year stampede park located southeast downtown calgary beltline district serviced calgary transit light rail system permanent structure site include saddledome big four building bmo centre – convention exhibition facility – cowboy casino stampede grandstand agriculture building number facility support exhibition livestock show park remains original location though attempt made relocate stampede board made plan purchase former military land currie barrack southwest calgary near glenmore trail street relocate park fully developed plan released support civic federal government intense opposition nearby resident quashed proposal space concern remained constant issue new plan push northward victoria park community beginning initiated series conflict neighbourhood city council persisted decade victoria park fell steady decline final building removed paving way expansion stampede park urban renewal program area land finally secured stampede organization embarked million expansion planned feature new retail entertainment district urban park new agricultural arena potentially new hotel expansion originally planned complete delay economic downturn pushed expected completion project back stampede park long central gathering place calgarians tourist addition attendance calgary stampede million people attend sporting event concert trade show meeting ground host event annually year queen two princess selected stampede royalty chosen via contest open woman age resides alberta emphasis placed horsemanship skill ability serve ambassador stampede city first stampede queen patsy rodgers selected princess first chosen following year royal trio serve oneyear term make hundred appearance throughout southern alberta across north america become member calgary stampede queen alumnus association founded association organizes fundraiser event support organization work special need child stampede five nation treaty –the tsuu tina piikani stoney kainai siksika–create camp bank elbow river southern section stampede park originally known indian village renamed elbow river camp erect tipi organize pow wow offer art craft reenact element traditional lifestyle year indian princess selected one five nation represent treaty part stampede royalty village among stampede popular attraction first nation people frequent participant city exhibition since first held taking part parade sporting event entertaining spectator traditional dance however pressure agent department indian affair suppress historic tradition keep farm nearly ended native participation weadick hoped include native people feature stampede indian affair opposed effort asked duke connaught canada governor general support position duke refused weadick gained support political contact ottawa including future prime minister r b bennett path cleared hundred indigenous people representing six tribe participated stampede camped tipi wore finest traditional regalia making among popular participant parade tom three person blood kainai tribe emerged one stampede first hero amazing spectator winning performance saddle bronc competition canadian champion first stampede became first person successfully ride cyclone notorious horse thrown rider career federal government prime minister borden attempted prevent repeat occurrence modifying indian act make illegal indigenous people participate fair parade without permission local indian agent new law ended native participation calgary exhibition weadick returned successfully fought return fairground indian affair department government prime minister mackenzie king attempted ban native participation without success conflict stampede indian affair continued indian village remained remained staple ground first nation member stampede board occasionally met conflict original location indian village lowlying ground frequently flooded problem resolved village moved current location complaint low appearance fee paid tipi owner lack input committee related participation accusation native exploited periodically made throughout year stoneys famously boycotted stampede following rule change cancelled policy giving indigenous person free admittance upon showing treaty card event year marred violent thunderstorm led apocryphal story band performed rain dance effort ruin fair despite conflict native community around calgary enthusiastic supporter stampede indian village tipi owner longterm participant – many third fourth generation – stampede helped preserve display first nation culture public village relocated doubled size featured new exhibit displaying partnership city local first nation stampede stampede announced name area would changed reflect reconciliation increased understanding indigenous people modern strong resilient voting process among camp announced final day stampede indian village would renamed elbow river camp operation park throughout year requires fulltime parttime employee additional seasonal worker hired stampede seasonal position often filled calgary youth many represents first paying job organization maintained legion volunteer however volunteer sit committee responsible aspect stampede operation chief among board director board made individual elected amongst shareholder three representing city one province recent president stampede board nearly half volunteer served year long calgary stampede brought rockettes new york city part grandstand show auditioned young local dancer participate calgary kidettes group meant onetime addition show proved popular spectator returned three subsequent year kidettes renamed young canadian calgary stampede remained part nightly grandstand show growing headline act group modeled american group people style reflecting pioneer culture alberta western canada young canadian made television live appearance throughout north america attracted large crowd every year calgary stampede stampede foundation set young canadian school performing art offer professional training singer dancer age paid scholarship stampede organization two founder young canadian director randy avery choreographer margot mcdermott remained group throughout sexual abuse class action lawsuit settlement class action lawsuit class member launched alleging calgary exhibition stampede limited calgary stampede foundation negligent failure alert police despite aware sexual abuse young canadian staffer young canadian criminally convicted sentenced year prison sexually exploiting six member group june defendant reached settlement accepted liability would pay damage resulting negligence punitive damage determined later june million dollar settlement approved court king bench alberta stampede showband created serve organization musical ambassador troupe feature member age named world champion marching show band seven time lastly july group performed world front royalty world leader opening ceremony winter olympics showband performed national anthem th grey cup accompanied young canadian singer lindsey kelly showband performs year round make appearance stampede alone performed tournament rose parade pasadena california third time part stampede th anniversary celebration showband also performed canada every night chuckwagon race member young canadian singing anthem english french stampede showriders created precision equestrian drill team colour guard accompanies showband calgary stampede talent search created annual competition amateur artist aged junior performer aged showcased every evening well competition take place stampede intended discover develop talented young southern albertans stampede attempted balance rodeo tradition concern animal welfare group argue sport inhumane official defend sport calling animal star show stating stampede passionate proper treatment animal calgary humane society found odds organization choosing work stampede ensure stress animal kept minimum one two group addition veterinarian hand monitor rodeo chuckwagon racing particular source controversy world professional chuckwagon association called stampede rangeland derby halfmile hell horse killed event animal right group protest event arguing sport cause undue suffering horse racer admit sport dangerous defend sport amidst controversy arguing animal well cared allowing race save many horse prematurely going slaughter following particularly deadly series accident nine horse killed chuckwagon racing incident alone – including five horse one spectacular crash – humane society official fan even driver called major change race others called sport banned entirely numerous rule change announced prior event calgary chapter society prevention cruelty animal accepted change stating would call sport banned given stampede official moved improve animal safety change announced tie roping particular focus effort eliminate event stampede altered policy enforce rule canadian professional rodeo association additionally stampede first rodeo introduce notime penalty competitor make dangerous tackle steer wrestling event several change made rule change announced six animal died stampede met mixed reaction cowboy animal welfare group change eliminated risk periodic accident continued result death horse livestock one deadliest incident stampede history occurred late trail ride meant help celebrate province centennial group horse spooked melee nine horse killed pushed city bridge bow river similar trail ride completed without incident past stampede official announced would attempt ride unless could ensure safety horse animal welfare group called animal death depressingly predictable seek boycott rodeo united kingdom travel agency asked stop offering tourism package stampede member uk parliament signed early day motion asking canadian counterpart ban rodeo several group petitioned duke duchess cambridge cancel planned attendance however couple attended participated private demonstration rodeo chuckwagon event live coverage rodeo rangeland derby competition broadcast cbc sport website sportsnet one cbc television carried daily latenight highlight show coverage weekend supplemental coverage seen cbc former sister cable network bold u sport channel cbs sport network aired nightly halfhour recap covering stampede rodeo pbr summer rodeo banner cbs broadcast onehour highlight show championship july rodeo coverage moved sportsnet canada cowboy channel united state festival spirit stampede extends throughout city parade day serf unofficial holiday many company give employee half full day attend people walk life executive student discard formal attire casual western dress typically represented wrangler jean cowboy hat many calgarians reduced productivity event take relaxed attitude towards usual workplace personal responsibility however community corporate event held stampede create social networking opportunity help newcomer acclimatize city stampede important stop political leader part annual summer tour country sometimes called barbecue circuit pancake breakfast local institution stampede dozen held throughout city day hosted community group corporation church politician stampede tradition pancake breakfast date back stampede chuckwagon driver name jack morton invited passing citizen join morning meal largest breakfast hosted chinook centre shopping mall four hundred volunteer required feed people attend oneday event th anniversary group calgary stampede caravan feed many people ten day rising popularity barbecue grill city population boom time brought growth community company barbecue throughout city stampede community booster group exported tradition across country symbol calgary hospitality among calgary grey cup committee whose volunteer hosted pancake breakfast day canadian football league championship game three decade sometimes spite poor weather condition annual november contest size number party year stampede viewed indicator calgary economic strength corporation community group hold lavish event throughout city staff client bar pub erect party tent largest draw people per day paul vickers owns several establishment city estimate make percent annual revenue ten day stampede alone party become known heavy drinking relaxed moral much one hotel satirical ad promising safely store patron wedding ring stampede widely viewed legitimate offer party without consequence lawyer noted significant increase divorce filing week following stampede primarily claim infidelity clinic see increase people seeking testing treatment sexually transmitted disease calgary said experience annual baby boom april – nine month event stampede become inexorably linked city identity calgary long called stampede city carry informal nickname cowtown event iconic status offer calgary global publicity play significant role defining city image calgary canadian football league team called stampeders since name shared team various sport throughout city history including stampeders hockey team operated year following world war ii stampede strong polling support within province ipsosreid poll found percent albertans felt raised civic quality life considered one region important cultural event nearly three four stated look forward annual event however critic argue reflection alberta frontier history represents mythical impression western cowboy culture created thcentury wild west show part event success attributed close relationship stampede often shared civic government community leader mayor calgary city alderman sat stampede board governor time occupied public office stampede ability convince wealthy influential citizen volunteer time allowed organization gain highprofile within city stampede operates cityowned land pay property tax lease typically face little political interference city hall operates nonprofit entity income reinvested park improvement park would revert city control lease allowed expire likewise stampede support medium accused providing inordinate amount positive coverage event trivializing negative aspect local medium faced national scrutiny major newspaper refused run antirodeo ad sponsored vancouver humane society calgary herald simply refused run ad calgary sun defended position editorial sun refuted charge kowtowing stampede justified refusal claiming calgarians allowing group outsider come insult proud calgary tradition seemed plain wrong herald reversed decision year later running fullpage ad sponsored vancouver humane society percent stampede attendee calgary region official work promote event across globe calgary stampede known around world stampede draw foreign visitor primarily united state united kingdom australia experiencing growing attendance tourist asia south america conference board canada report found annual economic impact calgary stampede yearround activity generated million across province alberta day event accounted million amount calgary alone yearround activity stampede accounted million million generated day stampede stampede official estimated city calgary gross economic impact million tenday event alone wider provincial total million term economic impact stampede highest grossing festival canada ahead ottawa winterlude canadian national exhibition toronto laugh festival montreal additionally stampede official estimate every dollar spent stampede park tourist spend rest city poll conducted found percent calgarians intended attend stampede expected spend – course event percent stated would spend civic leader consistently noted stampede impact city mayor andrew davison claimed event done advertise calgary single agency opinion echoed successor stampede official made similar claim arguing event one canada important tourist attraction canadian tourism commission placed event signature experience collection one six event location alberta according ralph klein former mayor calgary premier alberta stampede symbolizes province spirit cited friendly welcoming attitude festival spirit city populace event community booster group export around world among example cited infamous grey cup game two train stampeder football fan descended toronto launched unprecedented series celebration game included riding horse lobby royal york hotel event helped turn grey cup national festival largest singleday sporting event country note general dixon joan read tracey celebrating calgary exhibition stampede canmore alberta altitude publishing canada ltd isbn x foran max ed icon brand myththe calgary stampede pdf athabasca alberta athabasca university press isbn gray james h brand year history calgary exhibition stampede saskatoon saskatchewan western produce prairie book isbn kennedy fred calgary stampede authentic story calgary exhibition stampede greatest outdoor show earth – vancouver west vancouver enterprise oclc livingstone donna cowboy spirit guy weadick calgary stampede vancouver greystone book isbn reason charles ed stampede city power politics west toronto line isbn official website calgary stampede showband calgary stampede archive cbc digital archive – calgary stampede celebrating canada western heritage