By: Reginald Tiangha
Hope everyone remembered to set your clocks forward one hour because we’ve got a jam-packed week ahead at Stampede Park! Highlights this week include Aggie Days sponsored by Encana (alongside an Extreme Cowboy Race clinic and demonstration, an all new event which will be debuting at the 2010 Calgary Stampede!), the Calgary Co-op Grape Escape, and The Young Canadians’ spring concert.
Details on these events and much more, after the jump.
First, the Stampede itself will be presenting many events this weekend in conjunction with Aggie Days, fun for all ages. They include:
- The 25th annual Calgary Stampede Aggie Days sponsored by EnCana is a celebration of agriculture, its connection to our environment, and its impact on our daily lives. It is a multi-sensory, hands-on experience where families can learn about life on the farm. From live animals to computer games, there is something for the entire family. BMO Centre, March 20 – 21.
- The Acreage Lifestyle Show showcases services and merchandise specific to current and future acreage owners and has everything you need to know about farm and acreage living all in one place. Included in the Acreage Lifestyle Show is Western Living (featuring western inspired art, clothing, and décor), Producers Market, and the Alberta Fare Café, which serves a variety of snacks and meal options during the Acreage Lifestyle Show. BMO Centre, March 20 – 21.
- Rural Routes showcases Alberta’s unique travel experiences. For two days, the diversity of rural Alberta’s vacation opportunities are on display, all in one place and with a western theme. Find out about what adventures await you from the thrill of whitewater rafting to the relaxation of family trips. BMO Centre, March 20 – 21.
- The 2010 Calgary Stampede will feature the first Extreme Cowboy Race ever held in Canada, and the Craig Cameron Extreme Cowboy Race Clinic & Demonstration being held in conjunction with the Acreage Lifestyles Show, Aggie Days, Stock Dog Trials, and the Canadian Horseshoeing Championships will give participants an opportunity to explore this exciting new event in preparation for Stampede 2010. For further information call 403.261.0127 or visit the Stampede Agriculture website. Stampede Corral, March 20 – 21.
- A must-see for dog lovers (or animal lovers in general), the Stock Dog Arena Trial is a timed event where a border collie has to navigate three sheep through a defined course and into a pen in the fastest time. A handler may only direct the dog through whistles or commands. Fun for the whole family, this event is enjoyable to watch as anything can happen when you put together animals with egos who are forced to work together, and handlers who are competing for prize money. Stampede Corral, March 20 – 21.
- The Calgary Stampede Dairy Classic features an enhanced Youth Judging Clinic, the SuperCow Class, the 8th annual Explosion heifer sale, and a Holstein show. Agriculture Building, North Barn, March 19 – 20. Admission to this event is free.
- The 9th annual Canadian Horseshoeing Championships features blacksmiths competing in various classes using traditional coke fires to create their horseshoes. There’s nothing like watching a blacksmith pound a piece of molten iron using a hammer and watching the sparks fly. All participants are competing for the title of Canadian champion and a chance to participate in the World Champion Blacksmiths’ Competition this summer. Big Top Tent, March 19 – 20. Admission to this event is free.
- Don’t miss The Music Lives On, a tribute to the music and legends of Motown featuring The Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede. Tickets are available by calling the Stampede Ticket Office at 403.269.9822 or by visiting the website. Seating is limited, so get your tickets early! Big Four Building, March 19 – 21.
Note that admission ($5 for adults, children 12 and under free) to Aggie Days, Acreage Lifestyle Show, or Rural Routes gets you into all three. Also, the first 1,000 people in the door Saturday and Sunday to any of those three events will be invited to a free pancake breakfast so stop by this weekend, bring the family, and check out all the cool things going on!
Other events this week include:
- The Calgary Co-op Grape Escape is back! You don’t want to miss this informative and entertaining evening featuring samplings from over 60 producers of wine, spirits and beer. Tickets are available at all Calgary Co-op Wines and Spirits locations. BMO Centre, Hall E, March 19 – 20.
- Juno-award winning rock band Billy Talent will be coming to Calgary alongside Alexisonfire, Against Me, and Cancer Bats. Pengrowth Saddledome, Tuesday, March 16 at 6:45 p.m. Tickets for the concert are available through Ticketmaster.
- Discover and purchase the hottest in fashion, health, and beauty products all under one roof at the Fashion Has No Borders Fashion & Accessory Exposé. It’s the ultimate fashion-lovers day out, with runway shows, entertainment, and the opportunity to shop ’till you drop! BMO Centre, Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are available here.
- The NHL’s Calgary Flames play twice this week at the Pengrowth Saddledome. First, they take on the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. followed by the San Jose Sharks on Friday, March 19 at 7.p.m. Tickets for both games are available through Ticketmaster.
- Finally, the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen start their post-season this week as they managed to clinch first place overall in the WHL with their victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings last Friday. Because of this, they’ve managed to secure home-ice advantage in Round One of the Eastern Conference quarter-finals. They’ll play their first two playoff games this week on Thursday March 18 and Saturday March 20 at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Both games will start at 7 p.m. and tickets for both are available through Ticketmaster.
As you can see, there’s lots to see and do this week on Park, with something that’ll appeal to most anyone’s tastes. Remember that admission to Aggie Days, Acreage Lifestyle Show, or Rural Routes gets you into all three, and the first 1,000 people in the door Saturday and Sunday will be invited to a free pancake breakfast so make sure you stop by this weekend!
For updates and info on all things Stampede, make sure you follow us on Twitter at @calgarystampede and @HereAllYear, on Facebook through our official Facebook fan page, and stay tuned to the official Stampede Blog to learn more about some of the things happening Here. All Year.
Tags: What's Happening
