The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth…Really? Yes, really it is!

 

If you are a rodeo fan, you know the Calgary Stampede is the mecca of all outdoor rodeos. It’s where every rodeo cowboy dreams of competing. Spectators like me love watching this classic rodeo – but there is so much more. I had no idea this annual event was so extensive. The number of things to do, see, and experience at the Calgary Stampede is mind-boggling. But one thing is obvious: the Stampede is where they celebrate the people, the animals, the land, the traditions, and the values that make up the unique spirit of the West. This is the place to go if you are seeking a unique and fascinating first-class vacation. 

 

The caliber of a rodeo comes down to two things: the skill of the competitors and the quality of the horses, bulls, and steers. The Stampede Rodeo features the world’s best competitors and animals. The best of the best competes here at “The World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo,” which will continue featuring 30 of the top athletes in each of the six events — Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Tie-Down-Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, and Bull Riding — broken into three hotly contested pools. The top four athletes in each pool will advance to Showdown Sunday, earning the chance to win the coveted Calgary Stampede Championship! This highly coveted title is a serious bragging right for every cowboy and cowgirl. The action-packed rodeo kicks off daily at 1:30. at calgarystampede.com/stampede/rodeo. Watching Texas competitors, like Champion Riley Webb of Denton was especially exciting.

 

One of my favorite events is the Wild Pony Races, which is very exciting. Teams of three youngsters ages eight to 12 try to tame a wild pony long enough to get a rider aboard for a two-jump ride. The team with the fastest time wins. Then it ramps up to even more excitement for the legendary Relay Racing. See North America's best First Nations Relay Racing Teams in action, where bareback riders swap horses and circle the track at top speed. This event highlights First Nations horsemanship. There are 10 teams that compete at the conclusion of the epic Cowboys Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races. Each team has four people: three “holders” and one rider. When the horn sounds, the rider must jump on the first horse and race one lap around the track at top speed, bareback. At the end of the lap, the rider leaps off that horse and jumps onto a second for the next lap, followed by a third lap on the last horse. The first rider to first cross the finish line after three laps wins. Relay Races have been around for at least 100 years.

The icing on the cake was The Grandstand Show. I had no idea what an over-the top show this would be. It takes audiences on a spectacular journey with hit music, jaw-dropping stunts, illuminating displays, and high-energy entertainers. The Grandstand Show following the rodeo is full of unexpected, magnificent entertainment. As the evening wraps up, the Grandstand Show dazzles audiences with elaborate song, dance, and acrobatics.  It concludes with a spectacular drone and fireworks finale! calgarystampede.com/stampede/shows/evening

 

The Calgary Stampede is well known for giving fans a fantastic Music Festival. This year is no exception as Shania Twain will kick off this ultimate live music experience. Over 100 musical acts are set to perform during the ten days of the Stampede. It’s truly unbelievable!

At Elbow River Camp, you will find 26 large tipis. These tipis are held by Tipi Holders and their families. The colorful tipis in Elbow River Camp have been passed down from generation to generation from the First Nations Tipi Holders who set up their tipis at the first Stampede in 1912. They are a part of Stampede's longstanding relationship with the First Nations community.

One tip - be sure to stay multiple days in Calgary for this epic show—trust me, you don't want to miss a thing. So grab your cowboy boots and hat and gallop on over this summer to “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!”

 

My next article will feature Calgary. I love this western city. Check out this website for more information. https://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede  Visit Calgary | Your Official Guide to the Blue Sky City

 

 

If you'd like information about becoming a preferred partner with Stroll Forrestridge please reach out to Telese Gray at telese.gray@n2co.com.