Calgary Stampede | Don’t Miss This
Calgary Stampede Pride Day at Nashville North
From 1 – 5 p.m. at Nashville North, celebrate diversity and the LGBTQ+ community at Calgary Stampede Pride Day! Catch drag performances, and learn how to line dance! Plus, the Trailblazer Award will be given to a member of the southern Alberta community for contributions to the 2SLGBTQ+ community!
The Western Oasis
Meet artists from throughout North America and purchase original pieces, enjoy live music and entertainment at the Window on the West Stage or stop in the Wine Garden for a relaxing break from the Midway.
Stampede Showriders
One of the most distinguished young equestrian groups in North America, catch the Showriders at the Northern Lights Arena at noon and 4 p.m., and at the Nutrien Western Events Centre at 1:15 and 5:30 p.m.
Dani Strong – 4-5:45 p.m.
Garrett Gregory – 6-7:45 p.m.
Tebey – 10-11:30 p.m.
Foxx Worthee – 12-1:45 p.m.
Taylr –12:30-1:15 p.m.
Cartel Madras – 7-7:30 p.m.
Jazz Cartier – 8-9 p.m.
SAINt JHN – 9:30-10:45 p.m.
The Brother Bandits – 4:45-8 p.m.
Lennon Stella – 10-11:15 p.m.
The action all kicked off yesterday with the first day of Rodeo and the Cowboys Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races at GMC Stadium.
Rodeo highlights include three-time Stampede Champion Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alberta with the top-scoring ride in Saddle Bronc, coming in at 89.5 riding Baby Kibitz. The Cowboys Rangeland Derby’s long-anticipated return was capped off by a first-place finish from Darcy Flad, with a Running Time of 1:13.07, with six other drivers less than a second off his pace.
Full Rodeo results for Day 1 can be found, here.
Full Cowboys Rangeland Derby results for Day 1 can be found, here.
Elbow River Camp, presented by Enbridge, officially opens!
Tyson Heavenfire, Desi Rider, and Graham Rowan led the Grand Entry for the Opening Ceremonies of Elbow River Camp, presented by Enbridge yesterday afternoon.
Tipi owners and their families welcomed guests into Elbow River Camp, dignitaries were on hand to share in the ceremony, and guests were treated to drumming and dance performances.
Stampede guests are invited to experience the cultures of the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina First Nations of Treaty 7 in Elbow River Camp, presented by Enbridge daily during the 2022 Calgary Stampede. Here you will find 26 tipis to visit, local artisans selling jewelry and art, bannock and saskatoon berry jam, traditional dancing and much more. Learn more about Elbow River Camp, here.
Many Ways to Get to Stampede!
There are many ways to arrive at Stampede and join the fun! Come down and see all the action in a vehicle, ride share, scooter, bike and e-bike or with Calgary Transit.
Calgary Transit is a great way to get to Stampede Park, with 24-hour CTrain service, extended hours on many bus routes, and two Express Stampede bus routes.
Visit the Culture + Entertainment Access Map to learn more about options on Stampede Park, with suggested public parking available in the lot north of 11 Ave SE.
Riding a scooter or bike? Parking is available at all Stampede entrances with an expanded, free, compound for parking bikes located in ENMAX Park, just north of the MacDonald entrance. Cyclists can access the compound from the south side of ENMAX Park at 25 Ave along the Elbow River Pathway, or the north side of Stampede Park through the entrance at MacDonald Ave.
For more information, visit calgarystampede.com.
Heavy Horse Show steals the show in Nutrien Western Events Centre
The majestic giants of the Heavy Horse Show have been on display in Calgary since 1886, long before the official Calgary Stampede began in 1912.
And for over 40 years, the Gordeyko family has been a part of that tradition, showing their own Willow Way Clydesdales at The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Allan, his son Wes, and daughter-in-law Kristen are passionate about their horses and love bringing them to the Calgary Stampede.
“It’s a family tradition,” said Kristen, a fourth-generation Clydesdale breeder. “The Calgary Stampede is always a lot of fun.”
This year’s event kicked off Friday, July 8, at the Nutrien Western Event Centre and continues until Sunday, July 10.
There are several different halter and hitch classes that compete over the duration of the Heavy Horse Show, including the Halter Class, which is what the Gordeyko family participates in.
The Ohaton, Alberta-based outfit have brought three of their 85 purebred Clydesdales that reside on their farm year-round. Kristen said it’s perfect to be back, and that horses are a way of life for them – they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“There is nothing better than draft horses,” she said. “Every year, we have 20 to 30 foals, so it’s a lot of work 365 days a year, but we love it, and we are happy to do it, and we don’t know any other way to live.”
Allan, Wes and Kristen also can count on the support of several close friends, who help them on the farm and with the shows.
For a full schedule of all the classes in the Heavy Horse Show click here.
Best New Food on the Midway: The Best Daredevil Food Award Goes to The Hungry Beast!
The Sisig, served by The Hungry Beast, is the Calgary Stampede’s 2022 top-judged Daredevil Stampede Food! Diced tender pig face and pig’s ears, accented with lemongrass and ginger and garnished with fresh green onion and mayonnaise, you won’t want to miss this dish!