Calgary Stampede 9th to 13th July

100^th CALGARY STAMPEDE

We had no idea until we arrived in Canada that we had tickets for the Centennial Calgary Stampede and what a show they put on for us.  

Much to our amazement there were daily events scheduled all around Calgary from 6^th-15^th  July.

Allen, Robert and I started our morning in Downtown Fluor Rope Square sniffing out the free breakfast wagons.  We lined up with lots of other cowboys for a delicious bacon pancake and then lined up again for a second one!    

While waiting in the queue we were entertained by the Flap Jack Flip Contest followed by the Hat Stomping Competition.  These Canadians are almost as crazy as the Aussies.   

We loved the Old Time Rigs and the Native American Parade was the highlight for us.  
 

Jake & Jacki were giant furry people, actually 8ft tall.  They must have been sweltering in their costumes as it was 30+ in the shade.

 

 Five tribes dressed in traditional regalia sharing their heritage and culture through dance and music.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2012 World Marching Band Drum-off between Australia, Thailand and the home town of Calgary was excellent. 

Unfortunately the Aussie Band chose a very traditional piece of music that did nothing for me or the judges and I thought their costumes looked old hat (sorry).  Thailand, on the other hand, was lively, powerful and fun to watch – a worthy winner.   

Thai in front, Aussies behind.

We walked along a crowded Centre Street looking for some lunch but it was hard to stay on track with all the stalls and street buskers.  A big thank you to everyone working at the free drink stall, you kept us entertained and hydrated.  Cold tea has never tasted so good!  

 

 

 

Tuesday 10^th - Robert and Mary travelled with us in our RV to Shawnessey Street and from there we caught a train into the Stampede Park.  All very easy and civilized.

The Park was buzzing with people and side-show alley was packed.  There was a real party atmosphere. 

Felix and his team were a trampoline act like no other.  Those guys were walking up the side of a building that was 40ft high and then flipping over onto a trampoline. 

The Gauts got into the swing of things and bought a couple of cowboy hats and Al started walking around like JR.   I’ve never seen so many Stetsons and fancy leather boots.   Yeeha!

What'd Ya think?

 

Today was the big Rodeo and we had excellent seats in the Grandstand and sheltered from the sun.  

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police put on a wonderful show of horsemanship and dressage.  

The bucking broncos and bull riding got the crowd going.  The Juniors were fantastic and came out and showed everyone how it was done.  Those little guys are so plucky!

After a full day of crowds, animals and noise we retired to Aspen Crossing where it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Wednesday 11^th – 

 

Once we arrived at Stampede Park we all agreed we wanted to see TAILS: Three Horses - 

One Legend. 

The show TAILS is a dramatic story of friendship and camaraderie told through the eyes of a horse.  

The show took 12 months to produce and the end result was a visual masterpiece.  The horses were magic and the trick riding and liberty work (where horses are free and the work is based on trust) was superb.    

The next show was the Old Timer’s display.  We felt like we should have been one of the exhibits. 

 

 

 

Stroking the nose of a horse must be the nearest thing to heaven on earth.  

 

 Their gorgeous big eyes and long eyelashes make me go weak at the knees.  Pity I can’t fit one in the RV.

It was back to the Main Grandstand for the afternoon session.  

Eight huge draft horses came out pulling a carriage of  hefty chuckwagon riders.  Do you know each draft horse eats 34kgs of food every day!  

   

The sport of Chuckwagon Racing goes back to 1923.  Believe it or not, there are very strict rules that apply to the riders and there’s big money for the winner – up to $100,000. 

 

The evening extravaganza was just that.  Calgary hosted the most amazing, professional show ever.   Music, dance, spectacular acrobatics, motor bike jumps and trapeze artists in a league of their own.    

 

 

The Grand Finale was 30 minutes of synchronized fireworks from 5 different locations around the city making it the most dynamic event ever held in Canada.   YEE-HA  

 

                         End of 12^th Post