Can you feel it? Something’s buzzing in the streets of Calgary … Stampede is just WEEKS away!
I was spending some time on Twitter this morning, and it’s plain to see that Stampede has entered our collective mindset. We’re all realizing that it’s just on the horizon – that first day you notice a set of Stampede flags flying above an intersection? We know what’s coming and planning mode kicks into high gear!
Hello everyone- and welcome back to the Calgary Stampede OH Ranch!
Now that calving has wrapped up, we’ve moved the cows over to Spring Coulee pasture for grass. Last week we processed the black calves and later this week, weather pending, we’ll process the red calves.
Calf processing takes a crew—and we’ve got a great team of 15 knowledgeable locals working with us including ropers, vaccinators, taggers and one brander. Together it took us a couple of hours to process 101 calves.
Here’s what the day looked like:
By 9 a.m. we were on horseback herding the black cattle to the processing pen where we sorted the cows from their calves.
Once sorted, the calves are ‘heeled’ (roped by their heels). They’re on the ground for about 40 seconds total and in that time we vaccinate, brand, castrate and tag them.
After we process the calves and do a final head count, we turn the calves back out with the mother cows and watch to make sure they pair up.
It’s a ranching tradition that the host ranch serve refreshments and a meal after calf processing. My wife Deb cooked ribs, roast potatoes, salads and desserts.
Other news? Well, it’s time to let calves grow up.
The bulls arrived last week and they will be turned out with the cows on July 15.
Of course the work here never ends—there’s ongoing maintenance and the constant monitoring of the cattle’s health. It’s kind of like eating an elephant. You have to take it one bite at a time.
For now, we’re looking forward to some sunshine after this much needed rain.
Q: Calgary Stampede: Who are the SkyHawks?
A: SkyHawks: The SkyHawks are to parachutes what the Snowbirds are to planes: a military parachute demonstration team. In other words, we’re a very highly trained group of parachuters who know how to put on a spectacular show. The SkyHawks have performed for more than 75 million spectators over the past 41 years.
We call what we do Canopy Relative Work, but you might call it parachute acrobatics, (the technical term is actually aerobatics.)
All team members are from various occupations of the Army, Navy or Air Force. We’re based in Trenton, Ontario at the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre where we train alongside soldiers who defend Canada on various domestic and overseas missions. The formations and stunts we do require an incredible level of skill and precision and we put in countless hours of training. All in all, our team has completed more than 5,000 jumps.
We love performing for and meeting Canadians. We’re so proud to be ambassadors of our country—and we wear our pride on our parachutes!
Q: CS: How many people make up the SkyHawks? What are their roles?
A: SH: Our team is made of 19 people. Captain Victor Mover is our Team Commander and Warrant Officer Darrell Bishop is Team Second in Command. Between the two of them, they’ve made over 1,500 jumps! We have seven official Demonstrators (including a camera man). But there’s much more to our team than just the Demonstrators: we have two people who manage the rigging, someone in charge of managing the drop zone and we couldn’t make the magic happen without our awesome public relations and administrative team.
Q: CS: What can we expect at your shows?
A: SH: We’re known best for the close proximity formations we build in the sky. Picture three parachuters stacked, flying side-by-side, one upside-down. Or a parachute spiraling earth-ward followed by plumes of coloured smoke. And, of course, our signature Canada flag parachutes.
Q: CS: Where have you performed?
A: SH: Across North America, Brazil, Belgium, Japan, France, Holland and Australia.
Don’t miss the SkyHawks during the 2013 10-day Calgary Stampede! You can catch them at:
The SkyHawks can also be seen at various other events throughout the 10 days. Follow @CalgaryStampede and @theSkyHawks for more performance times and updates!
On the heels of a triumphant Community Round-Up at Genesis Centre in the city’s northeast last week-end, the Stampede is bringing the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth to the Westside Recreation Centre this Saturday, June 15th.
What IS the Community Round-Up, you ask? Good question!
Think brass bands, Stampede Royalty, and great local entertainment. Think about a free pancake breakfast for the first 3,000 visitors, and representatives from a dozen different Stampede volunteer committees, showing you what it is they do – everything from roping and riding to tweeting! Think about the biggest block party you can imagine – and then put a Stetson on it. That’s the Community Round-Up, and it will be rolling in to Westside – 2000 69th Street SW – from 9 am until High Noon this Saturday, come rain or shine!
The Next Generation Committee is accepting entries for a draw, running a photo booth (you can dress the kids up in our cowboy duds, if they don’t have their own!), helping the little buckaroos put together their own bolo ties, and running a contest to find the Fastest Tweeter in the West – so make sure you activate your mobile data package!
We’ll see you at Westside – and then in 23 days, at Stampede101!
I just cannot believe Stampede is 26 days away. Only 26 days until Jessica, Danielle and I will be in the Calgary Stampede parade! We are so excited!
June is a really busy month for us, filled with different events around the city but also rodeos and parades. Here’s what some days look like.
Last Wednesday we started our day bright and early at 7:00 am at Tim Hortons for the Tim Horton’s camp day. Every year the Calgary Stampede Royalty are invited as “celebrities” to help out on that special day. So we were busy serving coffee and encouraging people to donate to send a child to day camp. It was a great event, we had lots of fun!
Then, at 9 am one of our long time advisors took us to visit the practical vet school where she works. So we had the chance to walk around and learn more about the different procedures of the school. It was so interesting! I am very glad we had the opportunity to do that.
At noon we were playing Family Feud at Enmax for a special Calgary Stampede event, spreading excitement and inviting people to join us at the 2013 Calgary Stampede. All the employes were very friendly, and it was a fun event!
Then after that we had to stop quickly at the Stampede store to get a pair of boots, which are really nice! Then we decided to stop at our hat sponsor Smithbilt to get our hats freshened up a bit. Always so welcoming and happy to see us – I would like to say a special thank you to the Smithbilt staff!!
The last event of the day was really pleasant! We went to Heritage Park to Pops in the Park where the Calgary Philarmonic Orchestra was performing for free for the Silvera resident celebration. I had never seen an Orchestra in action before and I was really amazed to listen to such great music!
Yes Wednesday June 5 was such a busy day but unforgettable!
I feel so blessed to be part of this amazing adventure of being a Calgary Stampede Princess! Again I would like to thank our numerous sponsors! Without their generosity the Royalty program wouldn’t be possible.
Would you like to run the @CalgaryStampede Instagram account?
Charge your phone and login to Instagram because we are looking for the best photographers in the city to run our Instagram account during Stampede 101!
We will have one winning photographer running the @CalgaryStampede Instagram account for each of the 10 days (July 5-14) of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. As one of the 10 chosen photographers, you will be given access to everything you’ll need to get the perfect shot. Plus, if your shot is the best overall, you’ll win an iPad and an iPhone.
How to enter: between Tuesday, June 11 and Monday, June 24 tag your photos on Instagram of everything related to the Calgary Stampede (the 10-day festival, the performers, the animals and its values) with the #InstaStampede hashtag.
A panel of judges will select the 10 winners based on the following criteria:
Each winner will receive:
At the end of the 10-day Stampede, one winning photo will be selected and the photographer will also receive:
For full contest rules and regulations, click here. Happy snapping!
Time to dust off your Cowboy best and kick up your heels, because with the 2013 Calgary Stampede just 4 weeks away (!), the Stampede is bringing some of its best and brightest to the people of Northeast Calgary on Saturday, June 8th with an event at the Genesis Wellness Centre (7556 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.)
The festivities – or “hootenanny”, to use the cowboy term – begin at 9:00 am, with a pancake breakfast for the first 3,000 visitors. Stampede Royalty will be in attendance to get things kicked off, followed by the Stampede’s famous Band of Outriders, Native Dancing and performances from a variety of community groups including the Marakame Mexican Dance and Arts Association and the Elite Punjabi Institute of Culture.
Representatives from many of the Stampede’s Volunteer Committees will be on-hand to answer questions about some of the many experiences available at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, with my own committee – the Next Generation Committee – offering young cowpokes a chance to make their own bolo ties, and their older siblings, cousins and parents a chance to compete for the prestigious title of “Fastest Tweeter in the West”.
Events will go on come rain or shine, so make sure you come on down to Genesis Wellness Centre, at 7556 Falconridge Blvd N.E., and give us your best YAHOO!
With 10-day Stampede just 29 days away, it’s time to dust off those boots. Or, buy new ones.
But what to consider when you’re buying a boot? I asked Stephen LeManne merchandising manager at the Calgary Stampede Store.
Well, Steve told me, there are rubber and and leather soles. Rubber, they say, is best for comfort. But leather? Leather is classic.
Calgary Stampede has their very own boot line for the first time this year. The soles on these boots all undergo a ”Goodyear Welt Process”, an eight stage process that takes eight weeks! The sole is stitched to the welt and then stitched to the vamp and insole–meaning that the boots will last up to 20 years.
The colours and stitch patterns were hand selected and they are all handmade right here in Canada.
When you get your boots, Steve says, make sure to spray them with a leather protector. Dust will break down the leather. It’s also important to let your boots breathe for twelve hours between wears. Remember: moisture leads to blisters, so wear wool/moisture wicking socks.
And then (of course) we have to think about style…
Have rainbows and hearts ever looked so tough?
You can have all this awesome for free! Yes- free I say! Check out the Kicks Contest for a chance to win a pair of official Calgary Stampede boots.
Every year around this time we hear about 4-H on Parade (okay I hear about it and figure there are others who have as well). I may have grown up in a very small, rural Alberta town, but being a “Town-Kid” I didn’t participate in raising a steer (eye brows might have been raised if I tried to keep one in my backyard next to the swing set). I got to hear about what the fun and excitement of 4-H on Parade, but never really knew what it was all about.
It’s no longer my friends attending 4-H on parade but their children or nieces/nephews. So I have pictures pop up on my social media of their loved ones with their steer, horse or other project that they have been working on diligently for the past year. And I have decided to look at what 4-H stands for and what 4-H on Parade is all about.
For over 100 years the organization has been an integral part of the community in Canada). Here are some tidbits about 4-H:
If you want to see what 4-H on Parade is all about check out the online schedule of events for this weekend or if you want more information on 4-H Clubs in your area check out their website.
My head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
And my health to better living,
For my club, my community, my country and my world
With all the new food we have on Park this year, it’s easy to forget about the great food options we have returning each year. Our food vendors not only strive to make some of the more outlandish foods available, they also understand that many of our guests have unique dietary needs. Whether you are looking for gluten sensitive, lactose free or something a little lighter, we’ve got your back.
Maybe you’re watching what you eat, or simply looking for a healthy break between deep fried delicacies, either way, you’ve got choices. You can head over to Wrap Daddy’s to pick up one of their cone shaped wraps, try out a noodle box from SaltSpring Noodle Bar or stop by Los Compadres for their Esquites, a returning favourite!
For those looking to avoid gluten or dairy on the Midway you have many options, including the baked beans from Bush’s Baked Beans, fries from Fresh Cut Fries, beef bacon and eggs from Canadian Beef Bacon or maybe a large dose of protein with a giant turkey drumstick from Swenson Faz’ Smoked Turkey Drumstick booth.
Some locations on Park, like The Naaco Truck and Avatara Pizza, are able to cater to almost all dietary needs with gluten sensitive, lactose free and vegetarian options in their menu. Make your meal gluten sensitive at Avatara with the gluten sensitive crust or change out the naan bread at The Naaco Truck.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the many things the Stampede offers, including the cuisine we have on the Midway. Stop by the Stampede this summer to try some of the options we have for you, and let us start the second century together!
Written by:
Lindsey Kendrick
Jillian Cook
Where has the time gone? I cannot believe it is already the end of May and Stampede is starting to creep up on us. It feels like just last week my Stampede sisters and I were getting crowned. Enough about that, time to tell you what Danielle, Catherine, Amber and I have been up to!
Our schedules keep getting busier and busier with Stampede getting closer. Promoting the Calgary Stampede is a must everywhere we go. Whether it’s supporting our local 4-H clubs by judging lip sync competitions, giving a public speaking clinic to the Calgary Stampede Showriders, or going to Elementary School Carnivals, Stampede is always our number one topic.
One of the events we attended recently was the Calgary Street Food Festival. It was held at the Kingsland Farmers Market where they had 12 different food trucks all serving their best dishes. We were invited to be guest celebrity judges along with two others. We all sat at a table and had the job of taste testing samples from each truck, talk about a hard life. They brought us chicken burgers, ice cream, perogies, pizza, sushi, and grilled cheese just to name a few. My favorite was the Saskatoon berry dumplings!!!! Mayor Nenshi also joined us at the event and we let him have a taste of a few treats also. It may have been a very tasteful event, but we sure were not in the mood to do much moving around after.
The next event we attended we finally were able to show off all the hard work we have been putting into our Princes Hawk, Snoopy, and Kansas. The Little Britches Parade and Rodeo in High River was the official start of our rodeo season. We have been riding the Stampede Royalty horses for a few months now and were so excited to take them on the road. The Stampede Princesses and I may have had a few butterflies, but our trusty ponies were old pros and didn’t miss a beat. We all smiled and waved proudly during the parade promoting the Calgary Stampede and our western heritage. We may have smiled a bit bigger when running into the arena for Grand Entry!
Each week brings new excitement as July gets closer. We may be excited for Stampede but taking one day at a time and enjoying every part of it is a must!
How many hands does it take to pick up 3,000 pounds of trash in one hour?
Four hundred twelve by our count. On Tuesday, May 21, 206 Calgary Stampede employees came together to pick up trash along the banks of the Elbow River.
We divided into 12 groups, each deftly led by a team captain who laid out our sections and the game plan.
Armed with rubber gloves and trash bags, we hit the river banks.
Picking up trash on a sunny day with your co-workers is pretty great. Here at Stampede, we love our river so we were happy to give it some TLC.
Especially when it’s followed by hot dogs and ice cream.
Happy spring from the Stampede Family!
Next week is Stampede School’s last class of the year. In 2012, 930 students, 42 teachers and 152 volunteer parents came through Stampede School.
What, you ask, is Stampede School all about?
Stampede School students waiting to meet a some new equine friends
The Calgary Stampede works directly with teachers to tailor make the five day program to enhance curriculum. No two weeks at Stampede School are identical.
Students might visit the Grain Academy to discover how some of our food is produced, the barns during the Bull Sale, Diary Classic, 4H-On-Parade, or Union Cemetary to learn about some of the Stampede’s legends.
Many Stampede School students get an up close and personal lesson led by Muffy Knox with Cream Puff and Doobie.
lil’ Cream Puff
Muffy and Doobie
Muffy is a horse trainer and expert. Cream Puff is an 8-year-old full-grown miniature horse. Doobie is a four-year-old Paint horse. Doobie’s a little bit more social than little Cream Puff; he likes to have his bum scratched, Muffy told us.
Muffy teaches students how to read a horses signals—a high head, raised ears and flaring nostrils mean a horse is anxious; a bent knee means they’re relaxed—and how to approach a horse. You always want them to be able to see you approaching them, make a lot of noise if you’re coming from behind so they know you are there.
The kids learn how to brush, feed and pet the horse.
Petting Doobie
Stampede School will gear up again in the fall. Until then: have a great summer!
Lilac Festival is coming up on Sunday, May 26th, along with another chance to win some great prizes from the Calgary Stampede’s Next Generation Committee.
This fantastic, FREE one day celebration of culture and community has been entertaining Calgarians for 24 years, with lots to see and do for all ages!
Make sure you stop by our booth, which will be located near the Roots store on 4th Street just passed 17th Avenue, where you can get the inside scoop on how to make the most of your Calgary Stampede experience this July 5-14!
What’s that you say? You’re a die-hard fan of the Calgary Stampede?
Travel Channel will be filming a new show about fandom and food from Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7, 2013 during this year’s 10-day Stampede.
So: if you throw the best Stampede parties, if your BBQ ribs/pancakes/ [insert your culinary specialty here] are legendary, if your cowboy get-up is the envy of everyone on Stampede Park…
…or if you consider yourself the ultimate Stampede superfan, the Travel Channel wants to hear from you! Please email travelsuperfancasting@gmail.com with the subject line “Calgary Stampede” and include photos of you and your friends and/or family showing off your Stampede pride.
Best of luck everyone- and Yahoo!
