Calgary Stampede User's Guide
From Calgarypedia
Car
Parking for Stampede is done outside the park rather than on the actual grounds. There are several Stampede-sanctioned parking lots closer to the gates, but the majority of parking is found further out from the grounds in privately operated lots. Rates to park are anywhere from $20 - $50 for the day.
Admission
Gate admission changes from year to year. In 2010, it was $14 for general admission, $7 for children and seniors, and free for kids under six. This price gets you into the grounds. If you want to see a rodeo event or the Grandstand Show, those tickets are purchased separately. Be sure to get these tickets early, as they go fast.
Tickets for rodeo events go on sale in October. Other events, such as concerts, go on sale as they are announced. Admission to the grounds is free with a reserved seat event ticket.
EventsStampede events such as concerts and the free outdoor shows typically change from year to year; however, there remain some staples. The rodeo, chuckwagon races, trade show, Grandstand Show and the agricultural showcase are a huge part of the Stampede and have been for years. RodeoA Stampede staple, the rodeo is made of many events, so there’s something for even the casual attendee. Classic rodeo events include bull riding, calf roping and wild pony racing. The Calgary Stampede is one of the richest rodeo events in the world with over $1,000,000 in prizes across 10 different disciplines. For more on the rodeo, visit the Calgary Stampede Rodeo page. Chuckwagon RacesThe thrill of the chuckwagon races is something that needs to be seen live to be really appreciated. Four teams race around a course at blistering speeds, all competing for over $1 million in prize money. The wagons typically feature 36 drivers and 128 horses in all. The races start nightly at 8 p.m. For more information on the chuckwagons, visit the Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Races page. | 
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Agricultural Show
Eight separate venues spread throughout the grounds contain the agricultural and livestock programming of the Stampede. Everything from blacksmith competitions to livestock auctions are on display here, much like they were when the Stampede first began.
Grandstand Show
The Grandstand Show can be best summed up as Broadway – Western Style. Every night after the chuckwagon ponies have gone to their stables, the stage comes out and performers offer the spectator’s one last thrill for the night. The massive production features hundreds of dancers and other performers flipping across the stage in a themed presentation. Top it off with a massive fireworks display, and you have a perfect nightcap to an evening at the races.
Trade Show
Everything under the sun is for sale at the Stampede trade show. Vendors from all over the world line up to hock their wares in the Roundup Centre. From never-go-dull cooking knives to hand blown glassware and decorative rugs, you’ll likely find something that tickles your fancy.
Food and DrinkDeep-fried Oreos? Pizza on a stick? If you love food, you’ll find anything your heart desires on the Stampede grounds. With hundreds of food vendors serving everything from tacos to bacon on a bun, you’ll have no problem finding something that tastes so good it should be illegal. In other words, be prepared to loosen those belts. In addition to the Midway, the Range in the lower level of the Big Four building is a food court with a variety of foods. Weadickville - located near the Coca-Cola Stage is a greenspace with several budget-priced food vendors. For a complete listing of all food available on site, check out the Calgary Stampede – Food and dining page. Rides and GamesThe Stampede midway is divided into two sections. For the younger ones, the kids midway has a slew of kid-friendly rides and games that will thrill and delight youngsters from 4 – 12. For the big boys, dozens of death-defying rides excite even the most seasoned daredevils. Rides that flip and spin will have your stomach doing flip flops…in a good way, of course. Tickets for rides are available on site. For the adrenaline junkies, unlimited ride bracelets are for sale. | 
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After taking in a cheap thrill or two, you can head over to the game area to win a giant teddy bear for your sweetheart – the entertainment options are endless.
Music
No Stampede would be complete without a healthy dose of country music, which the Stampede grounds offer up in spades. The Coca-Cola Stage is included in the price of your gate admission and showcases some of today’s hottest country and rock bands. If arena rock is your thing, the Saddledome is bumping almost every night of Stampede with a different act. In the past, the Saddledome has seen Bon Jovi, Kid Rock and Alan Jackson tear up the stage during the Stampede.
For more of a family flavor, head over to the Enbridge Stage, where marching bands, magicians and dance troupes show off their stuff. Shows of all stripes run all day, and the acts are rotated so you’ll never see the same show twice.
And then there’s Nashville North. If you ask any grizzled Stampede veteran where the wildest party on the grounds is any night of the week, they will undoubtedly answer, "Nashville North." This notorious party haven serves as the biggest beer gardens on the grounds and no wonder, it’s sponsored by Budweiser. Live music under a huge tent keeps the place rocking until it’s time to shut ’er down, sleep it off and get ready to do it all again the next night. Get there early as four-hour line-ups are not uncommon on weekends. Oh, and leave the kiddies at home, this party is for cowboys and cowgirls ages 18 and up.
Around TownThe spirit of Stampede can be found throughout the city in the form of a pancake breakfast. This is a Stampede staple. Every morning during Stampede, it’s easy to find a free pancake breakfast put on by a corporation or community association – just follow your nose. The smell of pancakes and sausage will have you dunking flapjacks in syrup in no time. For the nightlife crowd, many bars and lounges host Stampede parties, the most notable being Cowboys. Get there early as these places pack up quickly, and don’t forget your cowboy hat and boots. Cowboys, Stampede’s unofficial off-site party zone, is located a scant few blocks from the grounds on 11th Avenue SE. Just follow the crowds and you’ll find it. | 
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