Calgary Stampede | Suncor Family Day
Suncor Family Day
Bring the whole family to the Calgary Stampede and celebrate with FREE fun for everyone. Admission is FREE from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and a free pancake breakfast will be available until 10 a.m., or while supplies last.
Monster Energy Compound
They’re skilled, brave and full of adrenaline. Watch these motocross athletes reach new heights as they showcase their skills and perform crazy tricks with multiple showtimes daily. Learn more…
Heavy Horse Show
Majestic music complements the big, bold beauties at the Heavy Horse Show, the oldest heavy horse show in North America. See these beautiful animals at the Nutrien Western Events Centre at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
O’Canada – Calgary Stampede to welcome our newest citizens on Monday, July 11
Come witness the first in-person citizenship ceremony on July 11 at 11 a.m. at the BMO Amphitheatre, near Doherty Hall on Stampede Park. The 26 individuals, who will take the oath and become Canada’s newest citizens, include the Calgary Stampede’s own Shannon Murray (Manager – Indigenous Engagement). Also in attendance will be the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Many within the Stampede family will recall past ceremonies from 2017 in celebration of Canada’s 150 birthday and the nightly ceremonies that were part of the 2015 Grandstand Show.
In 2022, the official ceremony will start with a blessing by Elders Laura Sitting Eagle and Gerald Sitting Eagle and culminate in O’Canada, led by The Young Canadians soloist, Emma Mountain, accompanied by the Calgary Stampede Showband.
We hope you join us there for this momentous occasion!
Garrett Gregory – 4-5:45 p.m.
Dani Strong – 6-7:45 p.m.
Nate Haller – 9:30-10 p.m.
Jordan Davis – 10:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
Foxx Worthee – 12-1:45 a.m.
The Rural Alberta Advantage – 8-9 p.m.
Milky Chance – 9:30-10:45 p.m.
Steve Earle & The Dukes, The Mavericks, Lucette, White Horse, and Matt Mays (ticketed) – 4-10:45 p.m.
(Covy Moore/CovyMoore.com)
Day 2 of heart-pumping, hoof-stomping action at GMC Stadium included a down-to-the-wire ending in Steer Wrestling. With two athletes tied at 4.3 seconds, Dirk Tavenner of Rigby, Idaho came up big with a 4.2 second run on the last attempt of the event to win the day.
The Cowboys Rangeland Derby was headlined by Chad Fike taking the fastest time of the day at a time of 1:12.81. This has been the fastest time of any driver so far this Stampede.
Full Rodeo results for Day 2 can be found, here.
Full Cowboys Rangeland Derby results for Day 2 can be found, here.
In order: Steve McDonough, President & Chairman of the Board, Calgary Stampede; the Honourable Randy Boissonault, Federal Minister of Tourism; Anna Murphy, 2022 Western Trailblazer Award Winner; Meghan Haddaway, BMO representative; Charles Macmichael, Founder of Pride Day; Todd Hawkwood, Community Projects & Development Volunteer Committee Member, Calgary Stampede.
And the Pride Day Western Trailblazer Award Goes To…
Every year at the Pride Event at Nashville North, the Western Trailblazer Award is given to a member of the southern Alberta community for their contribution to the LGBTQ+ community.
This year, the award was presented to Anna Murphy, who is tireless in her work advocating for the visibility of the Trans community, as well as the importance of public service. Charles Macmichael, Founder of Pride Day; BMO representative, Meghan Haddaway; and Stampede President & Chairman of the Board, Steve McDonough were all on hand to present Anna the award.
Pride Day at Nashville North also featured performances by Carly York Jones and The Marvelous Mo, as well as line dance lessons, to round out the fun-filled event.
Manny the Llama’s Stampede Legacy
The 2022 edition of the Calgary Stampede brings back much of the aspects missed over the past few years, but many will be missing one furry friend who made quite the impression over the years.
That furry friend is Señor Manuel, affectionately known as Manny the llama, who was stationed at the Country Critters exhibit for over a decade and was a staple stop for kids and adults alike to make a new friend and get slobbery smooches. Manny passed away in January of this year due to old age, almost reaching his twentieth birthday.
Lisa Bednarik, Manny’s owner and volunteer at the Stampede, explained how Manny’s reputation over the years impacted people from all walks of life.
“So many people came to see Manny year after year,” she said. “We have one woman who had taken 10 years of photos with Manny at the Calgary Stampede.”
One of Manny’s signature moves was his love of kissing visitors and volunteers.
“He was definitely known for his kisses,” Bednarik said.
There is no lack of animals to visit with this year—llama and alpaca included. Manny has his friends to continue on his legacy of being an essential Stampede stop.
Carlos, an eleven-year-old alpaca, also owned by the Bednarik family, has been participating in the Country Critters exhibit alongside Manny for years now. Carlos has been able to show the ropes to his brother Enrique, pronounced “on-ree-kay,” the five-year-old llama.
This year will be Enrique’s first Stampede experience, though he was able to get some experience in meeting visitors at Aggie Days in April of this year.
“Enrique doesn’t give kisses,” Bednarik explains. “That was Manny’s legacy and we want to keep it for him.”
Visitors will still be able to say hello to Enrique and Carlos at the Country Critters exhibit and learn more about the differences between alpacas and llamas—all with Manny there in spirit.
Best New Food on the Midway: The Best Deep-Fried Food Award Goes to Colossal Onion!
The signature hot and crispy sweet Spanish onion is hand-battered, deep-fried and served with a mild-spicy chipotle mayonnaise. The Colossal Onion has been a deep-fried Stampede staple for many years, and a tasty festival food must-eat.