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Friendly Calgary Is Enshrined In Its StampedeBy Habeeb Salloum
Now, some half a century later, as I stepped inside, I was elated with anticipation. Soon I was savouring what the people of Calgary love to call ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’. A few minutes later, my exhilaration was unbelievable as I began to tour of my childhood world of fantasy. The annual Calgary Stampede, which, in 2005, opens its gates from July 8 to17, is by far that city’s greatest tourist attraction. Held at the beginning of July every year, this Stampede is a renowned rodeo that celebrates the city’s ranching heritage. Every year more than one million attend this largest cowboy contest in the world.
This yearly Calgary spectacle, which makes the city come alive with unparalleled Wild West excitement, began in 1912. In that year; Guy Weadick, an American cowboy, showman and promoter extraordinaire, arrived in the city. As he bent over to sign the hotel register, the clerk asked: "How long will you be staying in the hotel sir?" Weadick tilted his hat back at a rakish angle, saying: "I'm going to stay here long enough to give Calgary the biggest blankety-blank frontier day show that the world has ever seen." His dream was instrumental in creating what has become an icon of Western values and heritage.
However, the main events take place at the Stampede Park, located in the heart of the city. When one enters the gates of Stampede Park, they enter a world of wonder and ‘Wild West’ excitement.
However, two events top all the other attractions - the afternoon Rodeo and the evening Chuckwagon races. The first of the worlds most prestigious $1,000,000 regular season professional rodeo is believed to be the wildest and richest daredevil show to be found anywhere. Bold and skilful cowboys ride bareback bulls and wild horses, rope calves with split second precision, milk untamed cows, and wrestle fierce steers while in between fearless Rodeo clowns perform their crazy antics. It is a three-hour non-stop spectacle of men challenging beasts for supremacy.
When it is all over, a mere 60 minute drive to the west and one is in the heart of the breathtaking splendour of the Canadian Rocky Mountains enjoying the world-famous Banff National Park and the unforgettable allurements of Lake Louise. It is what the Stampede is all about. As one of its officials explained some years back, “The Calgary Stampede is much more than an exciting world class event and destination... It’s an attitude of true western hospitality that engulfs the whole city.” IF YOU GOPrices: Rodeo and Chuckwagon Price: Packages: for Stampede tour packages see:
http://www.escortedcanadatours.com/calgarystampede.htm or Note: Prices quoted are in Canadian dollars For Information About Calgary, Contact: Tourism Calgary |
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TM
In
the days of my youth, as a farm lad on the western prairies, travelling to see
the Calgary Stampede was a dream which, at that time, remained but a fantasy in
a growing child’s mind. As the years slipped by and I roamed the four corners of
the world, in the back of my mind was always that western Canadian extravaganza
- the dream world of my formative years.
For
ten days the people of Calgary, a city of over 900,000 put away their
fashionable clothing then join with visitors to make merry in the exotic aura of
the Old West, perpetrating the memory and ways of the western pioneers. In this
cleanest, friendliest and safest city in Canada, it is a celebration of western
hospitality and fun on the edge of the Canadian Rockies.
A
few of the Stampede’s attractions, like free pancake breakfasts and Stampede
Parade, following a 4.5 km route are held downtown. In 2005 the parade will
include an estimated 170 entries, and the 350,000 spectators lining the route
who will, as in the past, be thrilled with marching bands, floats, heavy horses,
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, natives in traditional dress, and the
Stampede Queen and Princesses.
Inside
there are an authentic Indian village, a re-created frontier town, a fabulous
selection of the world’s most interesting comedy acts; a fine selection of
eateries; concerts and dancing performed on free entertainment stages; horse
competitions; agricultural exhibits; the biggest crowd-pleaser Midway wit its
games and rides; a dazzling array of exhibits; a casino; a Western Showcase,
featuring the Culture and Arts of our Canadian West; and a myriad of other
amazing allurements.
The
evening’s entertainment commences with the world famous Championship Chuckwagon
Races. Probably the most thrilling sport known to man, they are considered to
be the highlight of the whole Stampede. The races explode in an all out dash to
the finish line in an amazing contest of nerves and horsepower. Thundering
around a half-mile track, they ignite the thousands of excited fans into frenzy
- a page from western history, coming sensationally alive.
Immediately
following the Chuckwagon Races, literally hundreds of comedians, dancers,
musicians, singers, international acrobats and world-class musicians entertain
and delight the crowd on a gigantic stage in a mammoth 90 minute Grandstand Show
- an exciting variety spectacular. Fabulous costumes, glittering lights, and
lavishly choreographed musical productions are included in a Vegas-style show
featuring young Canadians and well-known star performers from around the globe.
It is a spectacular performance, the like most visitors have never seen before.
It
all ends with a spectacular firework display - a brilliant finale to an
exuberant and memorable evening that captures the rousing spirit of Canada’s
western pioneers and caps the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'.