It saddens me to say that perhaps 10-day Calgary Stampede is no longer “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth!”

Early in the 20th century when the Stampede began (1912) it certainly could lay claim to being the greatest outdoor show on earth as its major competition would have been circuses, other agricultural fairs and a few major festivals. But 100+ years later theme parks like Disneyland and Disney World are put on a show every day, year-round that rivals and even surpass the Calgary Stampede.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest live entertainment and livestock exhibition, and has been going on since 1938. In 2013, attendance reached a record high of over 2.5 million compared to the Stampede's 1.4 million.

Carnival in Rio De Janeiro in Brazil is huge community celebration attracting two million visitors over five days with daily parades that can have up to 200 floats. It has been happening since 1723.

Oktoberfest in Munich, Bavaria, Germany attracts six million people over 16 days in late September and October. It has been growing since 1810.

What about the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, which attracts 550 balloons that fly over the city for 9 days?

Stampede’s Diversity Makes it unique

What makes the Calgary Stampede really special and unique is the diversity of events - mega outdoor concerts, major western art show, midway, international marching band competition, First Nations gathering, rodeo, chuckwagon races, grandstand show, food festival and of course an agricultural fair, dating back to 1886 when Calgary was a frontier agricultural town.

In fact, perhaps the Stampede’s new moniker should be “The Most Diverse Outdoor Show on Earth” as it appeals to people of all ages and background. It takes over the entire city with hundreds of free pancake breakfasts taking place in suburban churches to car dealership to mega malls. The Chinook Mall pancake breakfast attracts over 40,000 people alone.

The Ismaili Muslim Stampede Breakfast, now in its 26th year attracts 5,000+ people not only for pancakes, but traditional cultural dishes, as well. Everyone is welcome!

The Calgary Stampede from above (photo credit: Peak Aerials)

Stampede Park is home to one of the City’s best public artworks “By the banks of the Bow,” by ***Bob Spaith and Rich Roenisch.*** Learn more: By The Banks Of The Bow Story

The Stampede midway attracts people of all ages and backgrounds.

It is also one of Canada’s largest midways with 35+ rides. And in 2022, the Stampede had North America’s largest travelling Ferris Wheel standing 150 ft tall.

The Stampede is well known for having some of the weirdest foods e.g., Meal Worm Hot Dogs, Sushi Donut, Deep-Fried Bubble Gum and Spam Mac & Cheese to name just a few.

Quirk: In 2023 it is home to the $100 hot dog. The monstrous 12-inch smoked jalapeno cheddar dog is made with aged wagyu beef and elk meat, marinated in a 2010 Lokoya Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon for five days, sitting on a bed of Bundnerfleisch, baked red pepper and sun-dried tomato ciabatta bun, and topped with cheese, imported German sauerkraut, onions and banana peppers. The Jalapeno Cheddar Gut Buster was dreamed up by Rick Paolini, owner of Paolini’s Concessions Ltd.

Fast, fried, food is very much part of the Stampede Experience.

Mega Music Festival

It is also a huge music festival with live music of all genres at the Big Four Roadhouse, Nashville North Saloon, Western Oasis (showcasing young talent), Weadickville Stage and Scotia Bank Saddledome. But wait there is more, the 160 member Calgary Stampede Showband performs dozens of time as part of the Stampede’s World Showband Championship. And there is more if you add in the Grandstand show that showcases the musical and performance talents of the Calgary Young Canadians. Sorry, there is no yodelling.

Quirk: Add it all up and the Calgary Stampede’s on-site musical attendance is over 600,000 annually.

The Stampede is a huge music festival, not only at the Stampede venues but a bars across the city.

The Coca Cola Stage is free with admission. There are several opportunities to experience The Calgary Stampede for free. Free Admission Info

Elbow River Camp

Treaty 7 First Nations have been part of the Calgary Stampede since the beginning. Since the beginning they have had their own Indian Village where they set up 20+ teepees and welcomed visitors to sit with them and learn about their culture and history. A bonus is the drumming, singing and dance performances.

Quirk: It was called the Indian Village until 2019 when it was renamed the Elbow River Camp, after years of politically correct zealots demanding a name change. Ironically, it wasn’t the Treaty 7 Nation leaders who demanded the change.

In addition to the Elbow River Camp, the Treaty 7 Nations have been an integral part of the Stampede Parade from the beginning. The Stampede Parade attracts 300,000+ spectators who enjoy the 90+ entries that includes over 200 horses and 4,000 participants.

Rodeo / Chuckwagon

The two most contentious elements of the Stampede are the Rodeo and Chuckwagon races because animals get hurt and yes a few die some years. While animal rights activists love to protest outside the Stampede grounds and write letters to the editor of the Calgary papers about how the Stampede should be shut down, most Calgarians, (perhaps most Canadians) understand the animals are well cared for (many are even pampered) and are loved by their owners. In fact, it is the humans who are taking a beating when it comes to horse and bull riding. In the case of the chuckwagon races, the horses are retired racetrack horses, and if it wasn’t for the chuckwagon races they would probably have already been put down. True story!

Quirk: Ironically, the most vocal protesting group is the Vancouver SPCA, not Calgary’s. Enough said. While some Calgarians would like to wave the white hat and surrender to the protestors, I think most realize the Stampede manages the welfare of the animals in a reasonable manner.

Chuckwagon races (photo credit: Calgary Stampede)

Grandstand Show

The big finale every night of the 10-day Calgary Stampede is the grandstand show an entertainment extravaganza of music, dance, stunt actors and comedy that culminates in a huge fireworks show at around 11 pm. The show features the Young Canadians a troupe of 7- to 19-year-olds formed in 1968, who train all year for the show. Each year they put on a stellar show appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Quip: The sound system is so loud people living nearby complain they can’t hear their TVs. I live 7 km away and I can hear the fireworks, not the show.

Art Fair

In addition to all of the above, Stampede also includes a mega art fair that features artists from around the world. While the fair is focused on western art, some of it is very contemporary and includes a diversity of art forms and materials from ceramics and paintings, to sculpture and glass. There is also a major quilt show and student art exhibition.

Learn more about Stampede Art Show

Stampede Art Show features a diversity of art from western to contemporary. I apologize for not having the name of the artists or title, unfortunately the photo of the card beside painting is unreadable.

Last Word

So yes, the Stampede may not be “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth,” anymore, but it is hands down, “The Greatest Outdoor Show in Canada.” And for those Calgarians who think the City should drop the “Stampede City” moniker for something more cosmopolitan all I can say is “Yahooooooooooooo!” Yes Calgary is more than just the Stampede, but “The Stampede” is a priceless international moniker that few cities in North America have - especially our size and age.