The Calgary Stampede

Wednesday, July 13th – Calgary, Alberta - Day 152

Artificial deadlines are important on trips with no real schedule. We had today pencilled in on the calendar as the day we go to the Stampede. Today was children’s day. There was a free pancake breakfast and variety show, free admission for adults before 10am, face painting and special kids’ events. Our schedule for the last week or two has revolved around getting to Calgary for today and we made it.

We woke up early to get on the road. We initially thought we would take public transit. We were running out of time for the free admission. We jumped in the car and off we went. I dropped Gen, Jo-Ce and the kids off to get the pancake breakfast before it closed and went to park the car. Long lines for expensive parking awaited; at least the car was close to the Stampede. Parking took so long I wasn’t eligible for free admission.

Our first competition was the herding dogs; with whistle commands from owners, the dogs had to herd three sheep around barriers and into a pen. It was quite impressive. We then explored the barns with all your typical farm animals and then settled in to learn about Canola oil. Jo-Ce and Gen seemed impressed by the potential of Canola.

We split up for a couple of minutes after watching some motocross riders do flips and tricks. Jo-Ce and I saw a marching band play while Gen went to find a Paw Patrol meet and greet for the kids. We all met at the Paw Patrol meet and greet and the kids got to meet their puppy heroes.

We crossed a bridge over the Elbow River to the area dedicated to the Indigenous people at the Stampede. The Stampede has been one of Canada’s largest public displays of First Nation culture. When organizing the first Stampede, the creator, Guy Weadick, wanted the inclusion of First Nations people in the Stampede. It was illegal at the time for First Nations people to leave the reserve without a permit and he had to seek an exemption for the Stampede, he got it. We wandered the Tipi’s and received a free smudge kit. John was being especially badly behaved and tried to run away from us and hide. We had to search for him twice before he got in enough trouble that he didn’t run away again.

The day was sunny and very hot, we needed a break from the heat, and we welcomed the chance to sit inside and see the Pow Wow. We watched male and female dancers in colourful dress dance to the drum circles of different First Nations. It was a great experience. Eventually, the kids got antsy and we went back out into the sun.

To be continued...

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