Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Hart Dowd

July 7, 2006

An EXTRASPECIAL EVENT:- The Annual Calgary Exhibition and Stampede July 7-16

“A dirt-ring rendez-vous for men who wrestle steers, ride bareback broncos, and risk death in the chuck-wagon races,” is how National Geographic magazine describes the Calgary Stampede in the March 1984 issue.

Each year, millions of visitors from around the world come to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to partake in the annual event, the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition. As Calgary's most popular tourist attraction, 'the greatest outdoor show on earth' features a real rodeo, a midway (amusement park), concerts, chuckwagon races and more. The city of Calgary is transformed for 10 days into town celebrating the cowboy culture. Visitors will enjoy the atmosphere and always friendly attitude of the locals as Calgarians put away their business suits, put on jeans, don Stetsons and join visitors for a noisy celebration of the Old West.

The history of the Stampede dates back to 1912, when Guy Weadick, an American cowboy-entertainer, came to Calgary and recognized the city’s potential.  He convinced four prominent Alberta citizens, called the “Big Four” cattlemen A.J. McLean, George Lane, and Patrick Burns; and brewer A.E. Cross; that with $100,000 he could stage a rodeo that would make the city famous.  They agreed to stake him, the first Calgary Stampede was held in September 1912.  Though it was a popular event, the show barely broke even.  It wasn’t until 1919, after the first World War, Weadick staged a second Stampede.  This Victory Stampede was a resounding success and managed to show a small profit.  Since then, the agricultural fair has been combined with the Stampede to become the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.  Through the years, rodeo has evolved into a professional sport and the Calgary Stampede has become “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

Calgary Stampede festivities begin with a downtown parade July 7.  The first Friday of the Stampede is parade morning, featuring floats, horses and Indian regalia.  This year there will be over 160 entries partaking in this wonderful parade, which will be televised to almost two million viewers. The parade provides two hours worth of intricate floats, marching bands, western riders and more, and is of universal appeal.  On other mornings during the Stampede, there are small parades downtown and activities in Rope Square, an area designated for Stampede activities.

The Calgary Stampede takes place at Exhibition Grounds/Stampede Park, just south of city center via McLeod Trail Highway 2.  Whether you are a rodeo buff or have never been to one, the Calgary Stampede is the biggest and best in the world.  But the rodeo is just part of this old-time western extravaganza:  The price of gate admission includes entrance to a plethora of events.

For live entertainment, the Coca Cola Stage has a fabulous selection of bands and singers. The 2006 lineup includes The Philosopher Kings…Default…Hedley…Sam Roberts…Theory Of A Deadman…Gino Vanelli and Terry Stokes, "America's Favorite Hypnotist".

The Calgary Stampede is all about country, and country music plays a huge role. At Nashville North  another free stage, the acts for 2006 include Beverley Mahood…Gil Grand…Doc Walker…Emerson Drive…Amanda Wilkinson & Aaron Lines...The Bellamy Brothers and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

For further information on the times and dates of all these events call 1-800-661-1767 or 403 261-0101

RODEO EVENTS

The afternoon rodeo features the world’s top cowboys competing for one-half million dollars in prizes.  The outdoor rodeo, scheduled each day of the Stampede, is the largest and richest rodeo competition in the world and includes five major events with cowboys participating from around the world.

Saddle Bronc – Cowboys ride bucking broncs with saddles.  The score is based on technique and style used by the cowboy, as well as his ability to stay on the bronc for at least 8 seconds.  The ideal technique is for the cowboy’s feet to be thrust forward, with toes turned out in the stirrups.  His toes should be over the bronc’s front shoulders when the horse’s feet strike the ground.  As the horse bucks upward, the rider flexes his knees, drawing his feet back, toes still turned out, and sweeps his spurs along the bronc’s sides until the spurs strike the back of the saddle.  The rider’s feet again move forward as the bronc descends.

Bareback Riding – Trying to remain control for his eight second ride, the cowboy is attached to his mount only by a hand held leather rigging and the grip of his legs.  Holding on with one gloved hand, the rider relies on timing, strength, and the proficiency of his spurring action for a good ride.  Judging is based on turn-out of the rider’s toes, the amount of his personal exposure to the power of the horse, the effectiveness of his spurring motion, and his control aboard the horse.

Bull Riding – The cowboy tries to keep his seat for the required eight seconds aboard the bull, by holding onto a rope wrapped snugly around the bull, just behind the animal’s shoulders.  These bulls are extremely strong and can be dangerous.

Steer Wrestling {bulldogging} – Contestants jump from the back of a horse onto a wild, running steer and wrestle the steer to the ground.  Judging is based upon the speed of a successful throw.

Calf Roping – In the calf roping event close teamwork between the cowboy and his horse is required.  The calf is given a head start.  The horse must adjust his speed to that of the fast-moving animal, stop on cue when the contestant ropes the calf, and then back up to keep the rope taut as the cowboy dismounts and sprints to the calf.  The contestant then must catch the calf, throw it and then gather and tie any three legs.  With the tie completed, the cowboy throws his hands in the air, signaling the end of his run.  He then remounts his horse, rides forward to slacken the rope, after which the calf must remain tied for six seconds.

Other rodeo events of interest are: women’s barrel racing; wild cow milking and the humor antics of the rodeo clowns who play an important and dangerous role.

Chuckwagon Races – A major attraction of the evening entertainment is the chuckwagon races featuring wagon trains and outriders.  There are a number of heats, or races, with four wagons in each.  As the klaxon sound, the outriders toss the camp stove and tent poles into the back of the chuckwagon and mount their horses to follow the wagon in a figure 8 around the barrels.  The four wagons and their outriders hit the track together jockeying for position as they round the half-mile track and bolt for the finish line.  The outriders must finish not more than one wagon length back of their wagon.  The winner is the team that finishes in the shortest time with the least number of penalties.

Grandstand Show – Following the chuckwagon races, there is a gala outdoor grandstand show featuring renowned entertainers, the local “Young Canadians” performers, and at its conclusion, a spectacular fireworks display.

Other Stampede Grounds Activities – Visitors to the Stampede grounds have an opportunity to participate in the Midway activities, see a show in the Saddledome, spend some time placing bets in the casinos, visit the native Indians resplendent in their ancestral finery outside their tepees at the Indian village, pursue the indoor exhibits of art and handicrafts, visit the livestock barns to see a display of prize winning animals or enjoy the free midway entertainment and exhibitions.

Fireworks can be viewed each evening around 10:30

Other Stampede Activities – Activity during the stampede is not limited to the Stampede grounds.  One activity is the Chuckwagon Breakfast, a free breakfast of flapjacks and bacon is served by a chuckwagon driver from the back of his rig on the streets of downtown or in the parking lot of a shopping centre.  As well as breakfasts there are many Stampede oriented events on around town.  Many hotels hold special Stampede events, and don't forget to visit one of Calgary's famous nightclubs such as Cowboys or Ranchman's. Dress in your best western wear and learn how to two-step.  At Stampede, nearly everyone dresses Western, so bring along your cowboy/girl duds or have fun at local western stores shopping for boots, bolo ties and hats.   Street Dancing is also found at most of the breakfast locations.  Even is you have never danced a square dance step before, join a square.  Someone there will guide you through the “do-si-so” and “allemande left.”

Country Music – There is general celebration of western heritage throughout the City, referred to as “Whoop-Up”, often long into the night at various tavern “watering holes.”

Weather – It is difficult to predict the weather during Stampede week.  Either hot July weather or rain may occur.  Either of which is considerably better than what the weather conditions were on October 18, 1951.  On that date, a special outdoor Stampede was staged for Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.  The ground was frozen and a blizzard raged.

This year’s Calgary Stampede (July 7-16, 2006) promises to be better than ever. With all the regular events plus new and exciting features, it will be even more spectacular.

Hartson Sager Dowd

hsdow@telus.net