What’s Happening on the Grounds
A Quick Guide to the 2010 Highlights
More than a million people will flood through the gates of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Whether it’s your first time or your annual pilgrimage, here are just a few of the million reasons to head to Calgary this summer.
New – Draft Horse Town
July 9-18
New this year, Draft Horse Town is a massive, interactive display that features all aspects of the draft horse at work, from the fields to railway and road-building. You’ll also find art and merchandise of draft horses in the mercantile store here.
Classic Competitions
July 7-11 – World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition
July 7-12 – Team Penning Competitions
July 9-18 – Beef Cattle Showcase
July 9-12 – Heavy Horse Show
July 9-11 – North American Sheep Shearing Challenge
July 10-12 – Cowboy Up Challenge
July 10 – Metal Art Showcase
July 11-15 – Cutting Horse Competition
July 11-12 – World Stock Dog Championship presented by Halliburton
July 16-17 – International Livestock Auctioneer Championships
July 16-18 – Working Cow Horse Classic
July 16-18 – Heavy Horse Pull
Concerts on the Coca-Cola Stage
July 9-18
Located near the Roundup Centre, this stage hosts some of the Stampede’s best entertainment. Free with admission. No seating. Past performers have included: Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans, Marianas Trench, Terri Clark, Simple Plan and Eva Avila.
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Performances in Nashville North
July 9-18
Located near the grandstand, Nashville North features live country music, dance floor and beer gardens. 18 years and older. Performers include: The Kentucky Headhunters, Aaron Lines, Gord Bamford, One More Girl and Dean Brody, just to name a few.
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Calgary Stampede Rodeo
July 9-18
The invitation-only, tournament-style rodeo runs for 10 days and prize money tops the $2 million mark. The rodeo features: 25 World Champions, 24 Canadian Champions and 15 Calgary Stampede Champions. Showdown Sunday is rodeo’s richest afternoon as the top contestants ride, rope and wrestle for the coveted Calgary Stampede Championship.
World Party – 2010 Grandstand Show
July 9-18
World Party celebrates the astounding beauty and wonder of life on Earth with singing, acrobatics, silk aerial ballet, daredevil motocross feats, comedy routines, drumming, magical special effects, and fireworks displays. Grandstand show begins after the chuckwagon races.
Chuckwagon Races
July 9-18 – 8 p.m.
The Stampede’s most enduring and unique event is professional chuckwagon racing. Cheer on your favourite as the wagons, pulled by four fiery Thoroughbred horses, turn the figure eight around the barrels and then race around the track. The adrenalin-pumping races are followed by the Grandstand show, included with admission to the chuckwagon races.
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Indian Village
July 9-18
The colourful Indian Village has been a major part of the Stampede since 1912. Numerous demonstrations of native traditions and culture — including dancing, drumming and games — occur daily in the Indian Village. Twenty-seven tipis are open for public viewing.
The First Nations People at Indian Village represent the five tribes of Treaty 7: the Siksika (Blackfoot), Tsuu T’ina (Sarcee), Nakoda (Stoney), Piikani (Peigan) and Kainai (Blood).
Special Days at the Stampede
Sneak-a-Peek
July 8, 5 p.m.
Reduced gate entry — preview the fun before the Stampede officially starts.
Family Day
Free admission to Stampede Park from 6 to 9 a.m. Free pancake breakfast (first 20,000 guests).
Western Heritage Day
Free admission for adults 65 or older all day – including free rush rodeo and evening grandstand show tickets. Other special and discounts at the Park.
Kids Day
Free admission for children 12 and under, when accompanied by an adult. Free pancake breakfast at Grandstand courtyard.
Who’s in Town
Stampede Concerts – Pengrowth Saddledome
July 14 – Bon Jovi
July 16 – Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker Band
July 17 – Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert
Head Downtown!
Top Free Attractions Stampede Week
Calgary Stampede Parade – Downtown
July 9, 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (approx.)
Arrive early and plunk your bum on the curb or in a few of the coveted first-come, first-serve bleacher seats. The Parade Prelude begins with on-street entertainment, while the parade begins at 8:55 a.m., winding its way from Sixth Ave. and Third St. SE to travels west to 10 St. SW. The parade then turns south to Ninth Ave., and then moves east to Fourth St. SE.
The C-Train is the best way to travel downtown or to the Stampede grounds. Visit calgarystampedeparade.com for a route map and details on any private paid bleacher seating that may be available.
Pancake Breakfasts in Downtown Calgary
Saturday, July 10, and Monday to Saturday, July 12-17
Fluor Rope Square 228 8 Ave SE
Get your flapjacks and bacon hot off the griddles from the back of authentic GMC Rangeland Derby Chuckwagons and Fluor Smokies at Fluor Rope Square from 8:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Fluor Rope Square Family Fun
8:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Entertainers fit for the whole family run the gamut from comedians, western singers, fiddlers, line dancers, breakdancers, dazzling Wild West shows, competing canines and crazy-fun contests like the Great Western Flapjack Flip Contest and Lammle’s World Champion Hat Stomp Competition.
Meet First Nations
Fluor Rope Square
Members of the five tribes of Treaty 7 from Southern Alberta — Kainai, Nakoda, Peigan, Siksika and Tsuu T’ina — dress in traditional regalia to proudly share their heritage and culture through dance, music and commentaries (weather permitting.) Join them in the Friendship Dance!
Following Fluor Rope Square, the Indian Parade proceeds to 4th Avenue SW, with stops at the Sheraton Suites Eau Claire and Westin Hotel, for photo sessions.
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Downtown Buggy Tours
Fluor Rope Square, 8:30 a.m.
Tour downtown Calgary in a horse-drawn rig and enjoy a free pancake breakfast along the way! Meet our volunteers at the NE corner of Fluor Rope Square, across from City Hall. Arrive early; a limited number of free tickets are distributed to passengers each day on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8:30 a.m. Not wheelchair accessible.
The hour-long, horse-drawn tour leaves at 10 a.m. Rig passengers are welcome to stay on board all the way to Stampede Park. Bonus: Rigs are escorted by the Calgary Stampede Band Show Riders.
Learn to Square Dance
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Stephen Avenue Walk, between 1st St SW and Centre Street
Kick up your heels and join us — no experience necessary. With the help of square-dancing volunteers, anyone can learn to dance!
