If you’re heading to Stampede 101 this year, don’t forget that not all of the fun takes place the grounds. The whole city becomes one big celebration site and Downtown Calgary will play host to a number of fun events over the 10-days.
FIRST FLIP STAMPEDE BREAKFAST
Good times will begin with the First Flip Stampede Breakfast on Thursday, July 4th from 7:30am-10:30am on Stephen Avenue Walk. Make sure you stop by for some live entertainment and rustle up some grub.
STAMPEDE PARADE
The Calgary Stampede kicks off each year with an enormous parade, which falls on Friday, July 5 this year. A very special addition to this year’s parade is an entry that was created so first responders and associated helpers are included.
The Parade Prelude starts at 7:30am, and the main parade starts at 8:55am. Prepare yourself for 2 hours of high-calibre floats, music and entertainment! Check out this amazing panoramic view of last year’s centennial parade.
The parade route begins at 6th Avenue and 3rd Street SE and travels west, turns south at 6th Avenue and 10th Street SW,Turns east at 9th Avenue and 10th Street SW, finishes at 9th Avenue and 4th Street SE. A map of the route can be viewed here.
Most of the seating along 9th Avenue and 6th Avenue is free and spaces along the curb are available on a first come first serve basis. You can also find info on reserved bleacher seating here.
FLUOR ROPE SQUARE
The Calgary Stampede’s Downtown Attractions Committee wants to make sure you have as much fun as possible in our great city, starting with their first ever High Noon Hootenanny right after the parade.
Pop by Olympic Plaza, also known as Fluor Rope Square, (on the corner of 8th Avenue and Macleod Trail SE), between 12:00-1:30pm for some live music by Drew Gregory & The Hired Guns.
And that’s just the beginning! Starting on Saturday, July 6, and running from Monday, July 8 through to Saturday, July 8-13th you can expect free chuckwagon breakfasts, live music, hat stomps, old rig ride parades, fiddlers, prizes, Indian parades, and more. All entertainment and activities are FREE. Find the complete schedule here.
The remainder of the Rope Square High Noon Hootenanny line ups are as follows (each of these shows are 12:00 - 1:00 PM):
Monday, July 8: Beverly Mahood
Tuesday, July 9: Drew Gregory
Wednesday, July 10: Jake Mathews
Thursday, July 11: Jason Blaine
Friday, July 12: Cowpuncher
Wander a few steps over to Stephen Avenue Walk between 10:00am-noon on the same dates and learn how to square dance, or just watch the pros as they “do-si-do.”
There will be a number of unique vendors and artisans lining the streets, as well as buskers, tons of restaurants, shops, patios and great people watching.
This year’s celebration will be a true testament to the Calgary Stampede’s mission to preserve and promote western heritage and values. Hospitality, integrity, pride of place, and commitment to the community have all been displayed in the most amazing ways since the devastating flooding that took place in Calgary, and many other parts of southern Alberta recently.
(Image from the Calgary Stampede website)
Thousands of people have pulled together to help each other and rebuild their communities and lives. The hard-work and unbreakable spirit that Calgary has exhibited is something very special that I have never witnessed first-hand before, and it makes me so proud to call this place my home.
Happy Stampeding everyone! Yahoo!
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