Calgary Stampede | Don’t Miss This
Calgary Stampede Pride Day at Nashville North
At 2 p.m. at Nashville North, celebrate diversity and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at Calgary Stampede Pride Day! Catch drag performances and learn how to line dance! Plus, the winner of the 5th Annual Western Trailblazer Award winner will be announced around 3:30 p.m.
Alabama coming to Stampede
From humble beginnings picking cotton in the fields to international stars that went on to sell 73 million albums while changing the face and sound of country music – Alabama is at The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth at 7:30 p.m. in the Scotiabank Saddledome. Limited tickets are still available here.
100 Years of Pancakes
In 1923, the Calgary Stampede’s first chuckwagon racers gathered for what would become the first pancake breakfast. Over the next hundred years, thousands of volunteers have made millions of pancakes to honour our heritage and build community. We invite you to join us and share in celebrating this delicious milestone. Look for this year’s free pancake breakfasts on Stampede Park and in your community. Find more information here.
Dani Strong – 4-5:45 p.m.
Cole Malone – 6-7:45 p.m.
JoJo Mason – 10-11:30 p.m.
Foxx Worthee – 11:59 p.m.-1:45 a.m.
Nuela Charles – 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Zaki Ibrahim – 1:45-2:30 p.m.
Boslen – 7-7:45 p.m.
Bryce Vine – 8-9 p.m.
Cordae – 9:15-10:30 p.m.
Danny Nix & The Heat – 4:45-8 p.m.
Nicky Genesis – 9:45 – 10:30 p.m.
Cheat Codes – 10:30 – 11:45 p.m.
Rodeo
Getting off to a good start is more important than ever at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo – with a new format now dividing competitors into three pools of three days of competition, rather than two pools of four days seen in previous years.
“You can’t lollygag around and hope for a win later. You’ve got to seize the moment and try to win as much as you can in the given opportunity,” said Steer Wrestler Michael Otero after his day money win on day one.
Otero wasn’t the only one seizing the moment on day one. Read more about today’s competition here, and check out the full results from the day here.
Cowboys Rangeland Derby
Jamie Laboucane has been building speed leading into Stampede and came out hot off the barrels in the eighth heat of the night on the first day of competition in the 2023 Cowboys Rangeland Derby. His time of 1:11:43 was the fastest of the evening, putting him at the top of the leaderboard on this 100th year of Chuckwagon Racing at the Calgary Stampede. He was followed closely by Chanse Vigen, another driver who has been tough to beat in racing leading up to July.
Get the full details on tonight’s action here.
Stampede Pride Day celebrates 10 years while honouring its fifth Western Trailblazer Award winner!
When Guy Weadick and Flores LaDue started the Calgary Stampede in 1912, they had the vision of creating a community gathering place, welcoming to everyone – 111 years later, that spirit still holds true as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pride Day at Nashville North on Stampede Park.
On Saturday, July 8 from 2-6 p.m., Nashville North will be rockin’ rainbow boots, welcoming the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for an afternoon filled with pride, entertainment and western fun, in an inclusive, safe and welcoming space.
From cheeky name tags, to drag performances from local legends Carly York Jones and The Marvelous Mo, Pride Day at Nashville North will be the place to be.
“Ten years ago, 20 friends never believed that we would be here today, with full Stampede engagement and celebrations at a time when visibility and support for the community has never been more important! It is amazing!” says Charles Macmichael, Stampede Pride Day Founder.
At the event, Charles Macmichael, Will Osler, Calgary Stampede President & Chair of the Board, and BMO will also present the fifth annual Western Trailblazer Award. The award recipient is chosen by a panel of judges and the selected individual is someone who has demonstrated their energy, influence and bravery in making a positive impact on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“This award and its recipient inspire and encourage me every year. This year’s winner’s work for the Calgary queer community is no different. I am so thankful we can continue to highlight these winners every year!” adds Macmichael.
See you in Nashville North as we name the Trailblazer Award Winner around 3:30 p.m.!
Elbow River Camp Opening Ceremony welcome guests to experience cultures & tradition
On Friday, July 7, guests were welcomed to Elbow River Camp presented by Enbridge for the official Opening Ceremony. Tipi Holders were honoured on this special day, welcoming special dignitaries and visitors to enjoy this cultural celebration.
Since 1912, Elbow River Camp has been an integral part of the Calgary Stampede, when families from the local Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina First Nations travelled to Calgary and set up camp to participate in the first Stampede. Continuing this tradition, everyone is welcomed each year to experience the cultures of Treaty 7 First Nations peoples.
The Opening Ceremony at Elbow River Camp featured dancing, drummers, singers and more! Make sure to visit Elbow River Camp in ENMAX Park, with stunning views of the 24 family tipis set up along the beautiful Elbow River. Guests are encouraged to visit and experience traditional dancing, including cultural demonstrations, local artisan vendors, the famous Bannock Booth and so much more!
Elbow River Camp presented by Enbridge is open daily and free with admission to the Calgary Stampede, July 7-16. Find more information here.
Mission Accomplished! The 2023 Stampede Parade sets the stage for 10 days of excitement
The 2023 Calgary Stampede Parade is in the books, and by all counts, it was a tremendous display of community spirit.
Parade officials estimated the number of people taking in the fun in person was 305,000 – a number similar to last year. Mother Nature did her part by providing almost perfect conditions to enjoy this annual event which kicks off The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better day to stage our parade,” said Stampede Parade Committee Chair, Dwayne Spence. “For the second year in a row, we cracked the 300,000 mark, and I hope those lining the parade route or joining us from home had as much fun watching the show, as our team had putting it on the road.”
Parade Marshal, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut, Jeremey Hansen, received a warm Calgary reception as he made his way around the route on the back of his horse, Cisco. Prior to settling into his saddle, Jeremy spent a few moments with 125 members of the Canadian Cadets Organization.
Jeremy recounted to members of the Sea, Army and Air Cadets how, at the age of 12, his father introduced him to the Cadets in support of the youngster’s dream to be a pilot. In a very poignant address, the former C-18 pilot told those gathered that many of the skills and values instilled in him as a Cadet are put to use every day as he trains to be part of NASA’s Artemis II mission planned for November 2024.
Parade judges also passed out 12 awards which included The Hippo Love Creative Society winning Best Overall Parade Spirit Award. Meanwhile, Celebrity Judge Asley Callingbull selected the Korean Canadian Association’s float as her favourite. Parade fans voted The Glory to Ukraine entry as their choice for the c977 Fan Favourite. Find the full list of winners here
The results are in from our first day of the Best New Food on the Midway competition. The first award category was the big one – the overall Best New Food!
The winner was the La Catira Picosa (The Spicy Blonde) Arepa from Arepa Ranch. This arepa is filled with shredded marinated chicken, cheese, avocado and topped with homemade habanero hot sauce. A real delight for your taste buds!