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The Calgary Stampede is a large festival, exhibition, and rodeo held in Calgary, Alberta for ten days every July. It is Canada's largest annual event and it features an internationally recognized rodeo competition, a midway, stage shows, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon races, First Nations exhibitions, and pancake breakfasts around the city, among other attractions. In 2004, attendance at the 10-day rodeo and exhibition totalled 1,221,182. Attendance at the Stampede Parade, which takes place downtown on opening day is usually somewhere between 300,000 and 400,000. During Stampede Week, the city's residents dress in western attire, and nearly all businesses decorate their stores and offices western style. The Calgary Stampede is often called "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth."
History
The Calgary Exhibition was first held in 1886 soon after the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the city. The Calgary Stampede (a separate event) was inaugurated in 1912 by Guy Weadick, an American trick roper. Weadick wanted to put on a world-class rodeo event and Wild West show that would bring the best cowboys from across the continent. The first Stampede was the richest rodeo competition in North America with prize money totalling $20,000. It drew more than 100,000 spectators. In 1923, the Stampede was combined with the Calgary Exhibition and the event has taken place every year since. In 2004, the rodeo prize money was doubled to $1,000,000 to put the Stampede on par with other major rodeos such as the National Finals Rodeo.
Presently, Bryce Nimmo is the chairman of the Stampede Rodeo commitee.
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