This year, I have visitors staying in my house from Kuwait who, I believe, have never been to the Stampede. I decided to put together a little list of "Must-knows/haves" for Stampede. This is what it looks like:
- The Calgary Stampede 2011 will run from July 7th to July 17th (10 days and over two weekends). The city really does go crazy. Some locals head out of town to avoid it, and others revel in it. The city also at least doubles in population due to people coming from all over the world to attend.
- Jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats are standard attire for the full ten days. You will see this everywhere. Even and ESPECIALLY Downtown Calgary
- Nightclubs double and triple their cover charges.
- There are “Stampede Breakfasts” all over town. This includes pancakes (generally two per person) bacon and/or sausage, a juice, and sometimes eggs. These are free, and only require you to show up and line up. I will provide a list of some that I know are in the area. The breakfasts sometimes also have little pony rides, face painting, and live music.
- The Stampede Grounds are named as such, and are around the Saddledome Downtown Calgary. C-Train or LRT is also a viable way to get down there. You can park at some of the main C-Train stations, and it drops you right at the grounds.
- Admission is $15 for adults $8 for kids (7-12) and free for 6 and under.
- Parking can be around $20/car depending on where you go. C-train is $2.75 for adults one way. Children less than that. If you go to any gas station or small convenience store they can give you books of 10 bus/c-train passes at a discount.
- There are fireworks every night on the grounds between around 10:30 and 11:30pm. This is because there is a Grandstand show put on by the “Young Canadians” which includes dancing, acrobatics, etc. The show starts at 8pm with the Chuckwagon races, and ends with fireworks. Tickets range from around $15 for rush seating (standing room, or far side seats) to several hundred.
- The Grandstand is also home to the Rodeo portion of the Stampede. Tickets also range for that depending on what you are looking to see. Tickets can usually be bought online at Ticketmaster, or on the grounds themselves.
- The Stampede is also a carnival, and therefore has a large ride, game and food section. You can buy individual tickets for the rides, or wrist bands for unlimited rides for the day. These can also be purchased on the grounds or in advance generally at a Safeway, or other major store.
- There exists a Coca Cola stage by the Victoria Park entrance to the grounds, and various bands play there every night. Refer to your guide for specifics.
- There is an indoor market for shopping (tradeshow) inside the large BMO centre. This is also attached to an arena for the Ice Show – a Must See for the kids!!
- Bell Rodeo X is also another great thing for kids. Usually a motor-cross show with acrobatics. Held in the middle of the grounds either in a large tent, or cordoned off area. Refer to the guide for more information.
- The grounds are essentially a LARGE parking lot. So you will be on asphault all day long. Wear comfortable shoes, have some kind of hat and lots of water/sunscreen.
- When looking at the Coca Cola stage, veer off to the left, and you’ll find Weedickville. By far the best deal on the grounds. Hot Dogs, slurpies, and sub sandwiches can be bought here for really reasonable prices. Good way to eat on the run!
HAPPY STAMPEDING EVERYONE!!!!
In fact, gas stations, etc. will happily SELL you transit tickets, but I doubt any of them are giving them away! LOL I might also have mentioned that making sure each kid has something with contact info, etc. and a plan to meet somewhere if separated (if old enough to remember one) is a good idea. Probably couldn't hurt to include a note that drunkenness is rampant - depending on where you're from, loud, scantily dressed young and not so young things carousing in public may not be in your rule book.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the "run away until the municipal hang-over wears off" crowd - can you tell? ;)