CALGARY — The 2014 Calgary Stampede kicked off on Friday with its traditional parade through downtown Calgary, marking the beginning of ten days of rodeo, concerts, midway rides, and western celebration that draws over a million visitors to the city each year.
This year’s Stampede carries a special energy, coming just over a year after the devastating 2013 floods that damaged Stampede Park and threatened to cancel the event entirely. Last year’s “Come Hell or High Water” Stampede became a symbol of Calgary’s resilience, and 2014’s edition builds on that spirit of determination and community pride.
Opening Day Highlights
The Stampede Parade wound through downtown Calgary on Friday morning, featuring over 150 entries including marching bands, First Nations groups, politicians on horseback, and elaborate floats. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the route despite early morning clouds, many dressed in their finest western wear for the occasion.
“There’s nothing like Stampede morning in Calgary,” said WestNet News photojournalist Chad Twair, who has covered the event since 2012. “The whole city transforms. You see people in cowboy hats and boots who wouldn’t be caught dead in them any other week of the year, and that’s the magic of it.”
Rodeo and Attractions
The rodeo competition is underway with events including saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. Prize money for the 2014 Stampede rodeo totals over $2 million, attracting top competitors from across North America.
The Stampede midway features over 70 rides this year, including several new attractions. The Nashville North and Coca-Cola Stage concert lineups include headliners spanning country, rock, and pop genres, with many shows free with Stampede admission.
Stampede by the Numbers
The Calgary Stampede runs from July 4 to July 13, 2014. General admission is $16 for adults, with free admission for children under 6. Stampede Park opens daily at 8:00 AM, with rodeo events beginning at 1:30 PM. The evening Grandstand Show runs nightly at 8:00 PM.
WestNet-HD Action News will provide continuing live coverage throughout the ten-day event, including daily photo galleries, rodeo results, and coverage of community events across Calgary during Stampede week.
Copyright 2014 WestNet-HD Action News
