Canada
The Calgary Stampede Shines in Western Canada!
Article and photography by Michael Morcos
Having visited so many countries on so many continents throughout the decades, it was time for a taste of Canadiana, and nothing could be more Canadian than the Calgary Stampede. Stampede, Rodeo, Fair, Carnival, call it what you will, it is one heck of a show with something for everyone of all ages.
Of course, the crown jewel is the rodeo but add to it Indigenous cultural performances, amusement park rides and games, livestock shows, agricultural exhibitions, endless food stalls and restaurants, art galleries, Grandstand live music shows, dance performances, fireworks and packed nightly dance halls and you have what is often called the best outdoor show on earth. And I would strongly agree!
This would be my first time to Calgary, and I would experience exactly what I had been told about this beautiful and exciting western city. Yes, this was an authentic cowboy city, people did wear cowboy hats, checkered shirts, blue jeans and leather boots and yes, locals were genuinely happy, smiling, open, and ready with greetings all around.
Before my three-day visit, I would watch the daily rodeo shows on TV. I was excited that after all these decades of travel, I would finally check off the Stampede from my bucket list. Although the visit was short, the thrills came one after another and the memories would last a lifetime.
If I wasn’t already excited, walking around the city at Stampede time ratcheted up the feeling to “10”. Though now a huge, renowned event, the original Calgary Stampede was held in 1912 as a small rodeo and agricultural fair where locals would congregate and mingle. Since then, it has developed into a 10-day event that celebrates Western heritage, culture, and traditions.
We were surrounded by the ambiance, style and music of this annual rodeo and exhibition event held in Calgary, Alberta, which has now become one of the largest and most famous rodeos in the world, attracting visitors from around the globe and an economic engine for the city.
Food, food, and more food
Food galore is an understatement; there was just about every sort of delight to satisfy any palette. A visitor would never starve at the Stampede, to the contrary, you must be disciplined in case you get mistaken for a big round barrel after indulging in a cornucopia of offerings. Its like being in a TV show for food! When the choices include cotton candy, corndogs, turkey drumsticks, fries, fine cheeses, and Alberta beef its easy to be lost in a world of goodies! There were literally food stalls and sit-down restaurants less than a minute away with mouth-watering delicacies to fill all desires, and we would try helpings all day long!
Happy Birthday Chuckwagon races
Not only does Calgary have the best chuckwagon races in the world, but this would also be a special year as it was the 100th anniversary for what must be the most popular event of the Stampede. Watching the race from the best seats in the grandstand proved very exciting as first there is the introduction and then off they went around the track and to watch these teams of horses gallop at full speed heading to the finish line was amazing. The thunderous sound was deafening, and I would find out the horses used were like athletes and where chosen for their high energy levels and truly loved the attention and high demand of the race.
Besides the races, there were other various rodeo events, such as steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and tie-down roping, but the races were hard to beat.
The Stars
It’s all about the horses, our host Chance Flad would explain as we headed for a tour of barns. They are the stars and are treated as such with a perfect diet and continuous veterinary care. I would find out behind the grounds there are hundreds of horses and cattle. I thought to myself that takes a lot of coordination to get the right horses and steer on time to the show grounds and without any hitches, they did.
Behind the scenes
With so much happening at the rodeo, it was not until we were permitted to see the cowboys and cowgirls resting or preparing or even getting medical attention that I realized these performers had a hard life but at the same time loved what they did. Imagine traveling from far-away places across Canada and the USA for only a few seconds of riding. This must take a lot of discipline and dedication and the winners must have feelings of absolute elation when they succeed!
The perfect stay
Visitors to Calgary could not be better rested and refreshed then staying at the Calgary Fairmont Palliser. This grand dame of a hotel is in the center of the city and only a few minutes’ walk to the grounds. The historic building was warm, inviting, clean and meticulously kept. My large corner suite was cozy, comfortable, richly decorated and had all the modern amenities one could want and expect in this opulent property.
On our two days at the stampede, we would be thrilled and delighted by the host of activities and events. The grounds of the last weekend were packed with lots of energy and excitement, and as I would understand, this was a normal day. The Calgary Stampede is proudly Canadian and a must to anyone looking for a slice of western culture!
