Calgary Stampede

With the Calgary Stampede only a few days away, there isn’t much happening at Stampede Park this week in terms of events as all hands are on deck putting on the finishing touches across all the venues on Park in preparation for Stampede.

So let’s change gears for a moment with the return of Stampede Spotlight and take a look at some of the new and returning events, activities, and other things that you can look forward to at this year’s Stampede:

New Midway Foods: Everyone looks forward to what new and wacky food ideas will be making their way to the Stampede Midway this year. Last year featured the debut of the Pulled-Pork Parfait, which garnered a lot of attention from local food critics and media personalities alike. This year, you can look forward to items such as the Glazed Doughnut Burger (Glazed doughnut, hamburger with fixings, glazed doughnut), the Moowich (Chocolate chip cookie, ice cream, chocolate chip cookie), and the Deep Fried Pop Tart, as well as MacKay’s Ice Cream’s exclusive Stampede ice cream flavour: Pancake Breakfast.
ENMAX Ice Show: Last year’s Acrobatic Ice Show – A Rock and Roll Fantasy was a big hit with crowds and thanks to ENMAX, the ENMAX Ice Show will return to the Stampede Corral this year, this time with Olympic Gold Medalists and World Champions Jamie Sale and David Pelletier headlining.
VOLTE: Each year, the Grandstand Show features a different theme but this year’s show promises to take things to a whole new level with heat, horses and hoofbeats. Featuring two black stallions, 180 performers and hundreds of fireworks and fireworks effects, this year’s Grandstand Show will be something that has to be seen to be believed.
New Items at the Stampede Market: You never know what wacky or cool gizmo or gadget will appear at the Stampede Market, or which one will become the hit of the year. A few of the new items making an appearance this year include the BallBike, Blizzie, and the Zoku Quick Pop Maker.
2011 Stampede Packs: Every year, the ever-popular Stampede Packs bring value and fun to one’s visit to Stampede, with many styles each year selling out. This year features refreshes to the CJAY 92 Pack, the 98.5 Virgin Radio Pack, the Kid’s Pack featuring the official mascot of the Calgary Stampede: Harry the Horse, and of course, the Calgary Stampede Pack.

And that’s just a taste of some of the new and exciting things to look forward to at this year’s Stampede. Other things include the human cannonball, David “The Bullet” Smith Jr., who will launch himself across Saddledome Plaza (or in other words, the length of a 747 aircraft) twice daily, and fire-whipping contortionist Aiden Orange leading the daily finale at the Bell Midway Circus.

There’s so much to see and do at this year’s Stampede that there isn’t enough room to do it all justice, much less fit it all in a single trip. But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed as you’ll be able to use various online tools this year to help you plan your Stampede. For example, you can use the online planner to view what’s happening for any given day, the official Calgary Stampede iPhone app if you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, and new this year, text “NEXT” to 313131 on your mobile phone to receive suggestions, announcements, and recommendations.

Finally, don’t forget that you can always get the latest news, tips, and other announcements by signing up for our Stampede Insider newsletter, following us on Twitter at @calgarystampede, becoming a fan of the official Calgary Stampede Facebook page, visiting our website at calgarystampede.com, and of course, by keeping an eye here on the Stampede Blog.

Spotlight on Calgary Stampede Foundation

Sep

by Heather Ilsley, Promotion committee volunteer

You might not be aware of the fact that the Calgary Stampede itself is a non-profit organization. And, a lot of what you see on Park happens because of the effort of a huge volunteer base and a dedicated staff that work hard all year long. But, did you know that many of the talented performers that you see during the Stampede are part of programs offered by the Calgary Stampede Foundation, which is a charitable organization?

The Foundation has a commitment to develop the potential of young people in the community and when you see these young people perform, I think you’ll agree that they are doing a pretty great job of it!

So, you might be asking yourself, which groups does the Foundation support? Well, here’s a brief blurb on each group and what they do.

The Stampede 4-H on Parade Program is an integral part of the education and the development of young people in agriculture. It’s a show that invites youth aged 10-19 to show their steers, heifers, sheep and horses, and to have them evaluated by industry experts. 4-H Rodeo brings together 120 competitors from the Calgary region. Last year there were 450 entries in 9 rodeo events. As an annual program, it is becoming another Calgary Stampede tradition.

Each year the Youth Speech & Debate committee sponsors both the Stampede Invitational Debate for junior and senior high school students and the annual 4-H debate.

The World Champion Calgary Stampede Showband offers musical training to young Calgarians. Currently the Band is 130 members strong and travels around the world entertaining thousands each year.

The Young Canadians School of the Performing Arts is our largest community youth program. The troupe of 173 receive training in the disciplines of voice, dance and gymnastics. We provide scholarships and academic tutoring for those who require them. If you’ve ever seen the Grandstand show it’s obvious how hard these young people work.

The Foundation also supports two other events:

Each spring during Roughstock, the Aggie Days Program provides a “Day on the Farm” to school children aged 6-12. The program presents tours, exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, and is designed to increase the children’s appreciation for and understanding of agriculture in Alberta.

The Stampede Youth Talent Showdown is dedicated to the discovery, development and encouragement of young amateur entertainers across southern Alberta. These young people are awarded the opportunity to perform at the Stampede, to win cash prizes, and often, to embark upon a career in the entertainment business. The winner of this event competes each year at the youth talent contest sponsored by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions where they are eligible to receive further scholarships.

So there you have it, another peek into the inner workings of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth and some of the programs and activities that fall under the Calgary Stampede Foundation.

For updates and info on everything Stampede, make sure you follow us on Twitter at @calgarystampede, on Facebook through our official Facebook fan page, visit our website, and stay tuned to the official Stampede Blog to learn more about some of the things happening Here. All Year.

Spotlight on: Showbands Live!

Jul

Who doesn’t like a good marching band?

You may already know of the world-famous Calgary Stampede Showband, but the more the merrier, right? With the equally world-famous Calgary Stampede Parade happening this week, I figured I’d take the time to talk about the bands from in and around the city as well as from around the world that you’ll probably see in various Stampede events this year.

Many different bands will be participating in the festivities this year, with some from around Calgary and the surrounding area, and some from as far away as Australia and France.

These bands will make appearances not only at the Stampede Parade, but also around Stampede Park, as well as at other Stampede events happening around town like the official Stampede Caravan breakfasts.

On Tuesday, July 13, many of these bands will be competing at Showbands Live! (another event free with Park admission) at the Saddledome for a share of $18,000 in prize money.

Spotlight on: Metal Art Showcase

Jul

Did you know that Blacksmiths make more than just horseshoes?

Certainly, the people competing at this year’s World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition at the Stampede will be making plenty of horseshoes as part of that competition, but those who have dedicated their lives to taking up the craft of metalwork have the abilities to create so much more.

The Metal Art Showcase gives these competitors an outlet to exercise their artistic freedom and to use their skills to create wonderful pieces of art out of metal. If artwork involving metal interests you, or if you’re looking for something unique to see at this Stampede, the Metal Art Showcase is happening at the Big Top and Palomino Room in the BMO Centre on Saturday, July 10.

Spotlight on: The Extreme Cowboy Race

Jun

It’s time to Cowboy Up.

A big hit on RFD-TV in the United States, the Extreme Cowboy Race will be making its debut in Canada at the 2010 Calgary Stampede.

Originally created by Craig Cameron, the Extreme Cowboy Race is a timed and judged race through an obstacle course that is designed not only to push horse and riders out of their traditional comfort zones, but also test the communication between horse and rider and the horsemanship skills and athletic abilities of each competitor.

A multi-faceted equestrian sporting event, just some of the obstacles that have been featured in previous races have included barrel jumps, log pulls, water crossings, archery shoots, and balloon shooting with pistols or rifles.

A customized version of the Extreme Cowboy Race sanctioned by the Extreme Cowboy Association (EXCA) will be held at this year’s Stampede.

Known as the Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge, it will be designed to take advantage of the audio, video, and other various capabilities of the Saddledome to create a customized race course never seen before, and you can catch it there at 3 p.m. daily between July 10-12.

Spotlight on: Team Cattle Penning

Jun

Many of you loyal Stampede Blog readers should know by now that many of the agricultural based competitions that occur on Stampede Park during Stampede time have evolved from actual farm-related tasks. We’ve already covered Sheep Shearing, Sheep Herding, the Heavy Horse Pull, and the World Champion Blacksmiths’ Competition here on Stampede Spotlight alone.

Another such event is Team Cattle Penning. The sport of Team Cattle Penning (sometimes abbreviated to Team Penning for short) is, in my opinion, one of the Stampede’s best kept secrets when it comes to fast paced and exciting events appropriate for all ages, and the Calgary Stampede Team Penning Competition is happening in the Saddledome July 7 -12.

Spotlight on: SUPERDOGS

Jun

Stock dogs aren’t the only dogs that get showcased at the Stampede.

Making their return this year is the ever popular President’s Choice SUPERDOGS, this time in a new venue.

Located this year on the upper level of the Big Four Building, the SUPERDOGS run, jump and soar to unbelievable heights. Be amazed as they perform tricks, run through obstacle courses, and showboat for the audience at every opportunity.

This year’s theme is “BFF-LOL-WOW!” because these SUPERDOGS will be your best friends forever (BFF), will make you laugh out loud (LOL), and will display antics and athleticism that will make you say “WOW!”

What’s equally just as surprising is that many of the dogs that appear in the show were adopted from humane societies and shelters throughout North America.

To give you a taste of what to expect from the show, here’s a clip from last year (although ignore the venue and schedule information in the video):
Continue reading →

Spotlight on: Sheep Herding

Jun

An important task for anyone involved in raising livestock is herding. Most times, the herding of livestock is performed with the assistance of other animals. In the case of sheep, it’s usually performed by border collies, although it’s not unusual for other breeds of dogs to be used. Border collies are typically chosen for their energetic temperaments and their intelligence.

Last time on Stampede Spotlight, I told you about how something as simple as sheep shearing could turn into a popular competition worldwide. Sheep herding has turned into a popular competition as well, and the Calgary Stampede runs its own competition every year, known for being one of the richest competitions around with over $16,000 in cash and prizes available to be won this year.

It’s “woof, woof” meets “baa, baa” as stock dog meets sheep stock in a battle of wills during the World Stock Dog Championship happening on July 11 and 12 at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Spotlight on: Sheep Shearing

Jun

Many of the agricultural based competitions on Stampede Park that happen during Stampede time have evolved from actual farm-related tasks. For example, the Heavy Horse Pull, World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition, and many of the events at the Stampede Rodeo are based on everyday chores that working farm hands have had to perform.

Generally, they just start off as friendly competitions. One guy says to another guy “Hey, I can do that faster and better than you can!” while the other guy says “Oh yeah? Prove it!” and all of a sudden the two start going at it.

Every once in a while, those “friendly competitions” start to get a little more popular to watch by others (“Hey, come down and see me kick this guy’s butt!”), a little bit more organized (“Hey, come down on this date at this place and see this guy kick that other guy’s butt!”), and sooner or later, these friendly competitions start to become regular public events.

One such farm-related task is Sheep Shearing, which has turned into a popular competition worldwide. The Calgary Stampede puts on its own competition every year, and you can catch the North American Sheep Shearing Challenge between July 9 and 11 in the Victoria Pavilion.

Spotlight on: Vintage Tractors

Jun

The gleam of the paint as the light hits the chassis, the roar of the engines as the driver brings his machine to life, the sheer horsepower barely contained and about to be unleashed, the anticipation as the driver awaits the signal to go, all of the action and excitement that one can only find in the world of…tractors?

Formula 1 racing may have wrapped up in Montreal last weekend, but anyone who can relate to or appreciate cars, mechanical horsepower, machinery, or a really loud engine may be surprised to find out how much they can relate to a Tractor Pull.

Like its heavy horse equivalent, a Tractor Pull involves hauling a heavy load a certain distance. The winner of the competition is the one who can haul it the furthest.

But that’s not the amazing part of the Tractor Pull at the Stampede. No, the amazing part is that all of the machines taking part in the competition had to have been built before 1960. That’s right, many of the machines taking part in this competition are antiques that have been lovingly restored by their owners for the sole purpose of competing in a game of one-upmanship.

And you can see it all live at the Vintage Tractor Pull and Tractor Show & Shine taking place in the Big Top on July 10 and 11!

Spotlight on: Light Horses and Horse Haven

Jun

If you’ve been following Stampede Spotlight over the last week, you’ll notice that there’s been a lot of concentration on heavy horses (also known as draft horses), which you can learn all about by visiting Draft Horse Town, a new exhibit for this year’s Stampede.

Their lightweight counterparts are aptly known as light horses, and they typically weigh between 900 to 1,500 lbs. They are primarily used for riding or for light work such as pulling buggies. There are dozens of breeds, and many of the horses that you see being used at Stampede time (for example, thoroughbreds are the main horses used for horse racing) are typically classified as light horses.

This year, 16 breeds of light horse will be on display at Horse Haven in the Agriculture Building. Open all 10 days of Stampede from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Horse Haven includes educational displays where you can learn about each light horse breed and interact with the horses representing those breeds, as well as speak with their owners to learn more about them or what it takes to own and maintain one.

Spotlight on: Heavy Horse Show

Jun

If you’ve been keeping up with our Stampede Spotlight feature here on the Stampede Blog, you’ll know that heavy horses (also known as draft horses) were traditionally used to carry heavy loads.

You’ll be able to learn all about them by visiting Draft Horse Town, new to this year’s Stampede, where you’ll see examples and exhibits on how they were used to help settle Western Canada. You’ll also be able to witness first-hand just how much load these beasts of burden can haul by catching the Heavy Horse Pull competition in the Big Top, July 16-18.

That said, heavy horse owners are very proud of their horses and sometimes enjoy showing them off. They’ll dress them (and themselves) up, outfit them in beautiful costumes, hitch them to some fancifully decorated wagons, and give them every opportunity to strut their stuff in front of a crowd.

This year, you’ll be able to see these magnificent beasts in all their majesty and splendour at the Heavy Horse Show, taking place in the Saddledome between July 9-12, and featuring musical performances from members of the CPO on July 10 and 11 in the evenings.

Spotlight on: Heavy Horse Pull

Jun

Heavy horses (also known as draft horses) have traditionally been used to carry heavy loads. In fact, if you visit Draft Horse Town at this year’s Stampede, you’ll learn all about the various roles that heavy horses have played in helping settle the west and beyond.

Many farm-related tasks have, over time, inspired and created competitions as a way for the working farm hands to demonstrate their skills to others and as a way to practise and sharpen those skills. For example, tie-down roping derived from actual duties which required catching and restraining calves for branding or medical treatment. Competitions such as the World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition were created to provide blacksmiths a venue to demonstrate their abilities as well as to improve upon them.

The sport of horsepulling is no different, and the best opportunity for you to see the horses strut their stuff is at the Heavy Horse Pull in the Big Top, July 16-18.

Spotlight on: Draft Horse Town

Jun

Before the advent of the internal combustion engine, it’s no secret that humankind relied on beasts of burden to get various jobs done, and draft horses were the beasts of choice when it came to settling Western Canada.

Draft horses have traditionally been bred for heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour. Over time, they were bred to also possess the traits of strength, patience and a docile temperament. These traits allowed them to help us build roads, pull wagons, haul dirt and rock from building sites, assist firefighters in transporting their equipment, and plough fields for planting crops. Over half a million of them were used during World War I to support military efforts, and their use today is still favoured in situations where individuals wish to farm with a renewable source of power.

In honour of the role that draft horses have played in helping to shape our western heritage, new this year to the Stampede is Draft Horse Town, located on Saddledome Lane between the Pengrowth Saddledome to the north and the Agriculture Building to the south. Featuring heritage exhibits which show the roles these horses played in helping to settle the West, build Calgary’s first buildings, their roles in the various World Wars, and everything in between.

With multiple interactive displays and exhibits, including a stage area with live demonstrations, music, and other entertainment, Draft Horse Town will give visitors an idea of the role that these magnificent beasts have played in Western Canada’s history and a taste of what life was like when their use was prominent.