Author Archives: Shannon McNeney, Next Generation Committee Volunteer

Aggie Days: Free Fun for the Whole Family

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Looking for something to do with the kids next weekend?  Pop over to Aggie Days at the BMO Centre on Stampede Park on Sat, April 13 and Sun, April 14. This FREE annual event is guaranteed to be a fun day for the entire family.

Aggie Days

If your kids love animals you won’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity to see more than 100,000 square feet of agricultural exhibits with cows, sheep, and horses; plus farmers, ranchers, blacksmiths and more.

Attendees will get to try hands-on activities like cow milking, seed planting, and watch sheep shearing and stock dog demonstrations.

CS Aggie Days

As much of our society becomes further removed from life on the farm it’s important to preserve the rural-urban connection, and ensure the next generation knows where the items they purchase at the grocery store come from.

“Aggie Days is committed to educating children and adults about agriculture through unique and interactive displays,” says Connie James, Chair of the Agriculture Education committee. “It is an industry that we depend on heavily; however, so many people are unfamiliar with it. Aggie Days gives children and adults the opportunity to make a connection between the food they eat and the farms that grow it.”

bolo ties

Stop by the Next Generation Committee’s display where kids can hand-craft their very own bolo tie, and parents can get the inside scoop on how to make the most of your Calgary Stampede experience this July!

Plus, we’ll have details about our amazing contest for those who are on Twitter and Instagram, with multiple chances to win some amazing prizes between now and Stampede.

2013-aggie-days-schedule

More information on Aggie Days can be found here. 2013-aggie-days-floor-plan

Former Stampede Chucks Announcer Honoured on Walk of Fame

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If there’s one voice that Calgarians know, it’s that of Joe Carbury.  Not only is he one of the most recognized sports voices in western Canada for hockey, football, and wrestling, he spent 45 years calling the chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede until his retirement in 2008.

Joe called races the old school way – just Joe, his binoculars, and a microphone – no instant replays or helpers, and when his enthusiastic voice would yell, “And they’re off!!!” the crowd would go wild.

The local legend was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, and was most recently honoured with his likeness on a “grate portrait” on the Stephen Avenue Walk of Fame, painted by local artist Mandy Stobo.

I had the pleasure of escorting Mr. Carbury to his grate during the special signing event on September 20th and was able to chat briefly with him about his involvement with the Stampede.

When I asked if he was surprised when he found out he was being included on the Stephen Avenue Walk of Fame, his response was an excited, “Oh yes!  And very honoured.”

The emcee of the event, the always entertaining Dave Kelly (former co-host of Citytv Calgary’s Breakfast Television, and fellow Walk of Fame honouree), joked that the cotton candy being served there was Joe Carbury’s secret recipe and that he puts it on his toast in the morning. “Carbury Candy” got a good chuckle from the crowd, especially Joe.

Joe noted that one of his most memorable moments at the Stampede was his last night announcing.  They figured that by the time he retired he had called over 5,000 races.  He said that he got pretty choked up calling out “And they’re off!” for the very last time.

That night they brought Joe and his family on stage where he received a standing ovation from the crowd of over 20,000 people.

“I was very honoured, but also very nervous,” he said, pointing out that he was used to a very different view and experience of the crowd from his “eye in the sky.”

Joe was able to make it down to the Centennial Stampede celebrations 4 times this year.

“It was really something special!  The rodeo was spectaculor. Congratulations to the whole Stampede Board on an amazing event!”

He really loved to go down to the barns and hang out with the chuckwagon racers and their families.

“Those are my kind of people.”

Carbury’s grate portrait is located in the “Pop Culture & Entertainment” section of the Walk of Fame on Stephen Avenue Walk between 1 St SW and 2 St SW near Lammle’s Western Wear & Tack.

Another amazing supporter of the Stampede (and the city), Bill Siebens, was also honoured with a “grate portrait.” Siebens, a local philanthropist, rancher and businessman, generously gifted the Calgary Stampede Foundation with the almost 8,000-acre southern portion of the historic OH Ranch.

The Friendly Faces of Stampede: Volunteer Profile – Christopher Loach

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Well, that’s a wrap.  What an awesome 10 days of celebrating 100 years of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!  We couldn’t do it without the hard work and devotion of all of our incredible volunteers and staff.

The number of people that volunteer for the Calgary Stampede is amazing, and so is the diversity of skills that come with them.

I was lucky enough to ask Christopher Loach, Chair of the Communications Sub-Committee for Downtown Attractions, a few questions about his involvement with the Calgary Stampede.

Christopher’s day job dealing with media as the Communications Director at Theatre Calgary made him an excellent fit for this volunteer position.

1)  What year did you become a Stampede volunteer and why did you decide to get involved?

I was fortunate to join the Downtown Attractions Committee (DTA) as a volunteer in 2007.  During Stampede every year I wandered down to Olympic Plaza when it transformed in Fluor Rope Square and took in the festivities.  When I heard the DTA was looking for people with a media relations background for their communications sub-committee, I jumped at the chance and managed to fill the void.

2)  What are one or two of your favorite Stampede memories?

As a native Calgarian, I have never missed a year at the Stampede.  My earliest memories are of the Stampede grounds at night, being pushed in a stroller, looking at all the lights and hearing all the sounds of the midway.  Later in high-school and then University, I worked as an usher in the Grandstand for 7 summers.  I met so many different people from around the world and made life-long friendships with many of the people I worked with.  I’ll never forget those days.

3)  What Stampede experience or event are you looking forward to the most this year?

Our Communications sub-committee works with Stampede Tourism to host local and international media when they come down to Fluor Rope Square. So many of them are visiting Calgary and the Stampede for the first time, and most of them are amazed that we actually do a hat stomp and get away with it.  It’s such an honour and a thrill to see them be truly amazed at all the work that goes into what we do, and then take those observations back and share them around the world.

4)  What’s your favorite midway food?

I’m a bit of a traditionalist, so I’m sticking with mini-doughnuts.  But any good hot dog is a close runner-up.

5)  What’s your best advice for a fun Stampede?

It’s not always about being in the loudest and most crowded tent for a great party.  Sometimes the real treasures, like watching a stock dog competition or visiting the Western Showcase art exhibit can be a rewarding and relaxing experience. Take time to see all the little things you never thought about visiting…you’ll be surprised at how much western pride and history you can take away from them.

 

If you’re interested in lending your time and skills to the Stampede team, learn more on how to get involved here.

Searching for Some Stampede Fun? Check Out our Online Games!

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Whether you’re trying to entertain fidgety kids on your smartphone while standing in ride line ups, or sitting at the office wishing you were on the grounds, there are some pretty sweet online games on the Calgary Stampede website that will provide you with a little fun and get you in the Stampede mood!

 

WANTED POSTER 

You can customize your own wanted poster by adding a photo, reward amount, and crime. There are old classic crimes on the list like “Bank Robbin’” and “Gun Slingin,” but my personal favourites were “Heart Stealin’” and “Felony Cuteness.”

 

CHUCK THE WAGON

This game lets you launch the chuck wagons into the sunset with a cactus slingshot. Yahoo! 

 

ROUND ‘EM UP

I liked Round ‘Em Up the best.  It’s very similar to Space Invaders, but with a floating cowboy head that shoots lassos at critters falling from the sky.  You can hide behind hay bales for protection…until the critters destroy them.

Have you created a wanted poster with your photo in it?  The Next Generation Committee is collecting your best memories and moments to include in the #CSTimeCapsule.  Please email yours to: calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com and it might get included.

NGC Twitpic Contest: Day #7 – Win Johnny Reid Tickets!

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Good Morning Calgary!

It is day 7 of the Calgary Stampede and that means it is day 7 of our Next Generation Committee Stampede contest.

Today you could win Johnny Reid tickets for Friday, July 13th!

How?!

Well it’s easy!

We are looking to add a Stampede Midway Stuffed Animal to our time capsule. If you have this item and are willing to contribute it to the Calgary Stampede’s Centennial Time Capsule please send us a twitpic of it!

Be sure to include our Twitter handle, @CS_NGC and the hashtag #CSTimeCapsule with your photo and you will be eligible to win. Entries will be accepted until 10:00pm tonight. So please have us your entry by then!

Winners will be notified at the end of the day by direct message (so make sure you’re following us!). From there we will ask for your email address (so make sure you check your messages!).

Good luck cowboys and cowgirls!

For more about the Time Capsule Project check out our website.

For more information about the contest check out this blog.

The Friendly Faces of Stampede: Volunteer Profile – Jodi Wilson

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Jodi Wilson is the Chair of the Downtown Attractions Entertainment Sub Committee, whose full time job is Legal Counsel at ARC Resources Ltd.  Luckily, her company is very supportive of community minded volunteering, as are so many in Calgary.

They have a lot of fun events at Fluor Rope Square (AKA Olympic Plaza) every morning, but the two that stand out most for Jodi this year are the Lammle’s Hat Stomp on Wed, July 11th for tickets to the sold out Brad Paisley show, as well as the Deric Ruttan concert, which will be at Rope Square on the Friday, July 13th at noon.

 

1)  What year did you become a Stampede volunteer and why did you decide to get involved? 

I became a volunteer in 2004.  I was given the opportunity to get involved through friends on the Rope Square committee and jumped at the chance!  I’m from small town Saskatchewan so grew up very community minded and loved the cowboy way of life!

2)  What are one or two of your favorite Stampede memories? 

Standing behind the chutes at the Rodeo, going to the barn parties after the Chuck wagon races and answering questions for visitors to our city about what to see and do during Stampede.

3)    What Stampede experience or event are you looking forward to the most this year? 

Tails!  Garth Brooks!

4)    What’s your favorite midway food? 

Corn on the cob.

 5)  What’s your best advice for a fun Stampede? 

Hydrate and pace yourself!

 

If you have any special memories of volunteering at the Calgary Stampede we’d love to hear them! The Next Generation Committee is collecting your best memories and moments to include in the #TimeCapsule.  Please email yours to: calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com.

 

For more information on Calgary Stampede volunteer opportunities please click here.

Wanna Beat This Heat? It’s Time to Hit “The Beach”

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Since I moved to Calgary the thing I miss the most (besides my family) is the ocean.  There’s nothing quite like hanging out at the beach, especially on these plus 30 days we’ve been having recently!  Fortunately, this summer the Stampede is bringing the beach to Calgary.

The Stampede Market (BMO Centre Hall A) will host a brand new entertainment and retail zone “The Beach,” that features real sand, palm trees, tiki huts and tropical island-themed shops. It will also be home to the exciting FlowRider Surfing Simulator, where you can go to watch professional surfing demos, or grab a board and catch a wave for yourself!

You can’t bring a beach to Calgary and not invite the Beach Boys, so you’ll be happy to know that the Virgin Mobile Stampede Concert Series will present the original Beach Boys at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wed, July 11th.

The hugely famous American group boasts the most Billboard Top 40 chart hits with 36. Come on down and see Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks, who have all reunited for the first time in 20 years for a 50th Anniversary Tour.  Calgary is one of only three lucky Canadian cities on the tour.

We’d love to hear your favourite Stampede concert memory, or any other special Stampede memories you might have!  Please email them to the Next Generation Committee at calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com and your submission may be included our Time Capsule.

NGC Twitpic Contest: Day #3 – Win Rodeo Tickets!

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Good Morning Calgary!

 

It is day 3 of the Calgary Stampede and that means it is day 3 of our Next Generation Committee Stampede contest.

 

Today you could win Rodeo Tickets for Sunday, July 15th!

 

How?!

 

Well it’s easy!

 

Today we are asking for your twitpics of Stampede Breakfast Parties. Simply tweet us with your picture and you could win. We will also include your twitpic in the NGC’s Time Capsule.

Be sure to include our Twitter handle, @CS_NGC and the hashtag #CSTimeCapsule with your photo and you will be eligible to win.

 

Winners will be notified at the end of the day by direct message (so make sure you’re following us!). From there we will ask for your email address (so make sure you check your messages!).

 

Good luck cowboys and cowgirls!

 

For more about the Time Capsule Project check out our website.

For more information about the contest check out this blog. 

The Friendly Faces of Stampede: Volunteer Profile – Esther Mitchell, Downtown Attractions Committee

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The largest Calgary Stampede committee with over 325 year-round volunteers is the Downtown Attractions Committee (DTA). Their main goal is to make sure that all Stampede visitors have a hand clappin’, toe tappin’, and belly bustin’ good time!  Over Stampede these kind folks will feed you, entertain you, and have you dancing in the street (literally).

Downtown attractions include events and activities at Fluor Rope Square, and other locations in the downtown area.  All of their events and activities are coordinated by volunteers and all are FREE!

I had the pleasure of meeting Esther Mitchell, Committee Relations with Downtown Attractions, last year when I went on a tour with her.  We rode the old time rigs, had a chuckwagon breakfast at Fluor Rope Square, and did some square dancing on Stephen Avenue – thankfully I had a really good partner!  It was so much fun and one of the reasons I wanted to become a Stampede volunteer.

I was able to catch up with Esther again recently and ask her a few questions about her experience volunteering for the Stampede.

 

What year did you become a Stampede volunteer and why did you decide to get involved?

In the early 80’s I worked for a company that had a Chuckwagon that raced in the Stampede. They would bring the Chuckwagon downtown to the Westin Hotel and we would cook and serve breakfast off the back of it. We met tourists from all over the world, even the Indian Parade would pass by each day. Then, I decided to get involved and become a volunteer with Downtown Attractions Committee. In 1992 I started volunteering as an Information Rover handing out Stampede information.

What are some of your favorite Stampede memories? 

Volunteering as an Information Rover, I have branded hundreds of kids, tourists and Calgarians with the Calgary Stampede Logo. The lingo that went along with branding was telling people; “hold still its red hot” (it was only red ink), ask them if they could “smell the hair burning,” and some of the good sports of the male gender we would tell them “it’s a good thing we aren’t going to make you into a steer!”  Then together there was always a big “YAHOO!”  We would end by saying to them “now you belong to the Calgary Stampede and you have to return every year”! After 10 days of Yahooing, it would take a couple of weeks for my voice to recover.

 

What Stampede experience or event are you looking forward to the most this year?

I can honestly say that Stampede gets in your blood and the fun is infectious, my son has watched all the fun I have had through the years and he decided to become a volunteer with Downtown Attractions Committee in 2009. He is involved in the Square Dance Subcommittee and they have a small part in the show TAILS, which is at the Corral 3 times a day during Stampede. I am looking forward to this show and I am excited about all the people I am going to meet hosting them on a tour of Downtown Attractions while volunteering.

 

What’s your favorite midway food?

Fiddle Sticks

 

What’s your best advice for a fun Stampede?

Start your Stampede Day with Downtown Attractions at Flour Rope Square where there are Chuckwagon Breakfasts, all kinds of entertainment, First Nations parade, Clowns, Mascots, contests, a gun fight, Old Time Rig rides and Square Dancers (both Saturdays and Monday thru Friday). Continue the fun and head on down to the Stampede grounds, YAHOO!

 

If you have any special memories of volunteering at the Calgary Stampede we’d love to hear them! The Next Generation Committee is collecting your best memories and moments to include in the #TimeCapsule.  Please email yours to: calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com.

 

For more information on Calgary Stampede volunteer opportunities please click here.

Showing New Canadians Some Western Hospitality

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A friend of mine, Carly, is a teacher with Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (L.I.N.C.) at the YMCA of Calgary, which is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.  This program assists immigrants with valuable insights into Canadian culture and the Calgary community while developing the language skills needed for daily life and successful integration into mainstream society.

Being a not-for-profit means that most of the “field trip” events they go on are donated or free, which makes Stampede a perfect time for them to experience a part of what makes our city so great!

From the large array of Stampede Breakfasts, to the square-dancing on Stephen Avenue, and the entertainment at Fluor Rope Square there are so many wonderful free things going on throughout the city for everyone to enjoy.

I had the opportunity to meet a number of her students at last year’s First Flip Stampede Breakfast.  It was definitely an eye opener for me to see people much older than I am learning basic skills to help them adapt to life in Canada.  There were 2 sweet older ladies from Myanmar, who had literally lived in the bush all of their lives and are now adapting to a very foreign way of life.

Even some of the simplest every day gestures we don’t give a second thought to, like how people greet each other with a handshake and say hello, are foreign practices to many newcomers, so these outings play an extremely important role in their education and help them develop the skills they need for day to day life in Calgary.

The Calgary Stampede recently hosted a Canadian Citizenship Ceremony at the BMO Centre, and its purpose was to grant official Canadian citizenship to one hundred individuals, in honor of the Calgary Stampede Centennial.  All new citizens were presented a commemorative Calgary Stampede Centennial pin and were treated to Centennial cake by the Cake Posse.

I hope that the sense of community at events like these helps immigrants feel welcome and also interested to learn more about our Western culture.

If you immigrated to Calgary from another country we’d love to hear the story of your first Stampede experience for our Time Capsule!  The Next Generation Committee is gathering a collection of memories and moments to include. You can email your submission to: calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com

Looking for the Perfect Stampede Souvenir?

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Whether you’re able to be a part of the action or not, you can still take home something special to commemorate 100 years of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!

 

Centennial Collectables

The Royal Canadian Mint has come out with a line of commemorative coins, including a $500 Fine Gold Coin, $50 Fine Silver Coin and a Proof Fine Silver Dollar Coin.  Canada Post has also come out with special Centennial Stampede stamps.

 

This unique Calgary Stampede aluminum metal forged 2012 ticket would look great on any desk or mantle.  And you can choose from one of 4 poster plaques, including the 2012 one below.

 

Special Centennial Western Wear

Longview artist, Scott Hardy, created the limited edition Calgary Stampede Centennial belt buckle, which is crafted in sterling silver and gold.

 

Limited edition cowboy boots and hats are also available.  The boots are handcrafted by Alberta Boots, with full quill ostrich vamps, kangaroo shafts and full leather lining and soles.

The hats are made of beaver felt with a sterling silver hat buckle by the legendary Smithbilt Hats.

 

Fun for the Kids

Stampede packs are back again – loaded with yummy snacks, coupons and value offers. Kids Packs come in 3 fun designs and are $12 each in the BMO Centre, Hall A, Stampede Park between July 5 to 15th.

Harry the Horse, the official Calgary Stampede mascot, is always a hit with the kids!  They can take home a plush version of Harry to remember their special day at the Stampede.

The Calgary Stampede Store offers a wide selection of Stampede merchandise, as well as other unique western gifts and souvenirs. The store is located south of the Pengrowth Saddledome and the Agriculture building along Stampede Trail and is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 403.261.0355. Authentic Calgary Stampede merchandise may also be purchased online.

All of these items above would make excellent contributions to our 2012 Time Capsule.  What would you like to see in the #TimeCapsule? We’d love to hear from you!

The Friendly Faces of Stampede: Volunteer Profile – Janet Jessiman, Promotion Committee

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You might be surprised to hear that the Stampede has more than 2,200 volunteers and 47 volunteer committees.  It takes a lot of hands on deck to make an event of this magnitude happen and over the years, through their time, energy, dedication and community spirit, volunteers have helped the Stampede grow into the world-renowned show that it is today, 100 years after its debut.

I was lucky enough to chat with Janet Jessiman, a Stampede volunteer for over 15 years and ask her about her involvement in The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!

1)  What year did you become a Stampede volunteer and why did you decide to get involved?

It was 1997 officially with the Stampede, but my daughter was a marching band member from Round-Up to Stampede Band. I joined the Stampede Band as a chaperone and once my daughter, Samantha, was finished I joined the Promotion Committee.

2)  What are some of your favorite Stampede memories?

My father was very involved with the Stampede so I grew up with it.   Some of my favourite memories are going to kids day in the Grandstand; I was convinced every year I was going to win the grand prize to Disneyland, never happened but Buckshot always gave me hope.

One other memory that stands out was my dad was riding in the parade, of course my mom and our visitors waved and shouted when he went by but he totally ignored us. When we finally did meet up with him we found out that he was bucked off his horse at the beginning of the parade and rode the whole time with a concussion.  The only thing he could remember was being confused if he should stop at the red lights or not. Thank goodness he came out of it ok.

3)  What Stampede experience or event are you looking forward to the most this year?

Helping the communities celebrate the 100th year. Our committee is doing its best to be out and about and bringing the spirit with us.

4)  What’s your favorite midway food?

An absolute just made fresh corn dog.  I only get one a year so it better be perfect.

5)  What’s your best advice for a fun Stampede?

Relax, enjoy the show, participate and let your hair down.

If you’re interested in lending your time and skills to the Stampede team, learn more on how to get involved here.

Canadian Tie Down Roper, Steve Lloyd, Has Eyes on the Prize

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With over $2 million up for grabs, the Calgary Stampede offers the largest purse in outdoor rodeo. Cowboys come to Calgary from all over to show off their skills and compete for a chance to win the coveted Calgary Stampede Championship and $100,000.
This year, Steve Lloyd, of Alix, Alberta, will be one of 3 Canadian cowboys competing in the tie down roping competition.  The other 17 competitors are from the United States, mainly Texas.

In the rodeo world, tie down roping is considered the most technical event, where competitors must have a delicate balance of timing, hand-eye coordination and a special partnership with their horse.

We have no doubt Steve will make Alberta proud!  He has an impressive track record including 8 Times Qualifier to the Canadian Finals Rodeo, 2003 Canadian Champion Tie Down Roper, 2003 – 2005 Aggregate Champion at the Canadian Finals Rodeo, 2008 – 2009 Alberta Tie Down Roping Champion, 2009 Tie Down Roping Season Leader, and 2010 Calgary Stampede Final 4 Contestant in the $100,000 round.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ask Steve a few questions with the help of his lovely wife, Deana Lloyd. Deana is involved in rodeo as well, as a barrel racer, but is not currently competing due to injuries she sustained in a severe car accident 3 years ago.

1)  How old were you when you started roping?

Six years old.

2)  How did you get involved?

At our family ranch.

3)  What is your favorite Stampede memory?

Qualifying for the final 4 in the $100,000 round in 2010.

4)  What Stampede experience or event are you looking forward to the most this year?

Tie down roping!

5)  What’s your best advice for a fun Stampede?

Bring the family and enjoy all the Stampede has to offer.

If you love rodeo, you better get your tickets quick cause they’re going fast! Tickets purchased in advance include admission to Stampede Park.

 

Stampede Windows: You Know it’s Getting Close When….

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With only 35 days left until the 100th Calgary Stampede, the momentum is starting to build!  Yesterday I saw my first Stampede windows of the season – some in Kensington and some on Stephen Avenue.  When they start to pop up at the end of May/beginning of June it’s a welcome reminder that Stampede is drawing near and good times are on the horizon.

I had the opportunity to ask Valerie Nimchuk, a window painter in Calgary who owns and operates No Limit Artistic Design, a few questions about what it’s like to be a Stampede-time window painter in our fair city.

1.) How long have you been doing Stampede-time window painting and how did you get into it?

I have been painting murals in show homes and private residences since 1996 and if you have ever seen the painted ‘Pete the Plumber’ trucks I painted most of those and I started window painting around 2000.  I give credit to my husband who knows how I love to draw and doodle, he said I think you would do well with window painting it seems to be right up your alley and he was right!  I get to draw and paint all day, what a terrific job!  I don’t like to use ‘clip art’ and will only use it when forced to. I have a binder of great pictures that my clients can choose from or I custom make pictures for them…I can basically draw anything and believe my art stands out compared to some of the other window painters.  I also am able to paint realistic images, which I have been told some of the other artists cannot do.

 2.) How many windows do you anticipate you’ll end up painting this year?

So far I have 50 jobs booked already for Stampede and hoping to double that.  Also hoping it is busier because of the Centennial.

3). What is your artistic background?

Drawing and doodling since birth, self-taught, a few classes here and there.

4.) Do you have a window, or moment in your career that you are most proud of? 

A couple of years ago I painted the windows for Stampede Casino, those were really cool.  I had used a variety of images and made up a group of people playing and cheating at poker…it was fun.

Also a few years back the Stampede board called and asked if they could put No Limit’s name on their website as a contact for window painting.  What an honor that they thought I was worthy to be put on their site.  They asked for another artist that I knew to put on as well so I added an associate that I know of too.

5.) Is this a solo operation or do you work with a team?

I own and operate the company doing all jobs by myself, but sometimes if I am fortunate my daughter Riley will come and paint with me.  Last year at Stampede she was between jobs so we did everything together and had a great time! It also helps me get the job done much quicker of course!  I draw and she paints, she is really good, usually by the time I’ve finished drawing the big jobs she was close to catching up.  This year she is working, but will help me out as much as she can.

6.) How long does an average window take to complete?

On a window that is about 5’ across I usually give myself an hour and a half per window, or an hour if Riley is helping me.

 7.) What is the strangest thing that has happened to you while painting?

Nothing strange that I can think of, but last year a company called KARO Group filmed Riley and myself window painting for one of this year’s 100th celebration commercial  We have seen it and there is a shot of me painting, Riley’s boots and dropping paint and her filling in paint on the drawn image.  That’s my company in the 100th year commercial…pretty cool!

8.) What is one of your favorite Stampede memories?

Going to country concerts and walking the midway before and after. It’s always a good time!

9.) What Stampede experience or event are you looking forward to the most this year?

Just like everyone else I am hoping to WIN tickets to the Garth Brooks concert!

10.) What’s your best advice for a fun Stampede?

Wear good shoes, buy all the lottery tickets and hope you get a winning one, and eat those mini doughnuts!

Valerie’s work can be viewed on windows around Calgary this summer, as well as on her two websites: www.windowpaintingcalgary.com and www.nolimitart.net.

The Sheepdogs Are Ready to Rock Stampede 2012

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There are few things in life these days that are free, let alone free AND awesome, but the Calgary Stampede has hit the nail on the head with their 2012 Coca-Cola Stage. This year’s lineup includes a little bit of everything from rock to rap and the best part is that all of the concerts on this stage are included in your Stampede gate admission!

Last night at the Coca-Cola Covert Concert for the official launch of the Coca-Cola Stage lineup some serious talent rocked the stage at Flames Central.

New Cities got the crowd warmed up and then we were treated to a surprise performance by Saskatoon rock band The Sheepdogs.

The Sheepdogs became the first unsigned band ever to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine in August of 2011 and if you’ve ever heard their music you know why.  They are unbelievable live performers!

The rest of the lineup is very impressive, as well as diverse.  We can look forward to Big Sugar, Our Lady Peace, Dragonette, George Canyon, Mother Mother, The Trews (last year’s headliner), Simple Plan, AWOLNATION, New Cities, Seether, Makeshift Innocence, Carly Rae Jepsen, Raghav, K’naan, Danny Fernandes, Victoria Duffield and Karl Wolf.  So get ready to rock Calgary!

More info available here.