23 Things You Didn’t Know About the Stampede
It’s about mid-June when most Calgarians start thinking seriously about what they’re wearing to Stampede.
While you might know what you’re wearing to the Stampede by now, there’s quite a few things you may not know about the world’s “greatest outdoor show on earth.”
Here’s several interesting facts that you probably didn’t know about the Calgary Stampede.
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#1 – Most Visitors are Local
Approximately 70 per cent of people who go to the show every year are from Calgary.
#2 – Stampede Founder Was Ejected
Guy Weadick, the founding father of the Stampede, ran the show for 20 years until 1932 when a legal dispute ended up in him being relieved from his duties – permanently.
In 1952 Guy was invited back as an honorary guest and parade marshal.
#3 – Name of the Big Four
The Big Four Building at the Stampede Grounds is named in memory of A.J. MacLean, A.E. Cross, George Lane and Pat Burns, the four businessmen who together contributed $100,000 towards making the first show a reality.
Today there are afour public schools in Calgary named after these very important men.
#4 – Stampede Park is as Big as…
The Stampede Park is over 200 acres (809,371 square meters) in size. That’s about:
- About two-fifths as big as Monaco
- One and one fifths the size of Disneyland
- One and four fifths the size of the Vatican City
- About two times as big as The Mall of America
- About four times as big as Grand Central Station
- About six times as big as The Pentagon
- About eleven times as big as Buckingham Palace
#5 – Annual Park Visitors
Stampede Park sees more than 3.5 million visitors every year, over a million of whom attend the Stampede during its 10 days
#6 – Daily Park Visitors
On a daily basis, over 120,000 people visit the Calgary Stampede, making the Stampede Grounds the third largest city by population in the province of Alberta
#7 – Eat Free Breakfast
Do a little bit of reading online and in newspapaers and you’ll be able to eat free breakfast every day of the show.
That’s 10 days of free pancakes, bacon, sausage, fruit juices and other tasty breakfast foods, often cooked by volunteers!
#8 – There’s an App
There’s actually an application or “app” you can download onto your smartphone called Flapjack Finder that shows you where all of Calgary’s free Stampede breakfasts are every day
#9 – New Foods Every Year
Every year there are countless new types of foods at the show ranging from frog legs to perogies to poutines to insects and more! See the list:
#10 – Animals Get Posh Treatment
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Animals participating in the rodeo are given daily veterinarian checks and are removed from the event if they are found to be harmed in any way
#11 – Lots of Activity During the ‘Pede’
Calgary’s birth rates typically jump in April every year. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that about nine months after the Stampede?
#12 – A Class for Stampede
The University of Calgary actually has a credit course – CNST 451 – for undergraduates to do with the Calgary Stampede
#13 – Casino Coins
The Stampede Casino needs approximately 6 tonnes of coins to be able to open during the show
#14 – Spend Thrifty Locals
According to a poll taken in 2011, 40 per cent of locals who were sure they would visit the grounds expected to spend anywhere from $150 to $400
#15 – Movies Galore
By the time 1950 came around, seven movie productions had already filmed certain scenes at the Stampede
#16 – It Used to Be Shorter
It wasn’t until 1968 when the Calgary Stampede became a 10 day event
#17 – Donuts Galore
Over 2 million mini-donuts are consumed every year at the show
#18 – Rides Galore
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The midway at the grounds is host to about 60 different rides as of 2014. Also see:
#19 – Games Galore
The midway at the grounds is host to about 80 different games as of 2014.
Today there’s about the same number but with changes coming to the grounds there’s even more to come soon.
#20 – Donations Galore
Every year, about 4,000 to 5,000 stuffed dolls are collected at the ground exits annually and are donated to children in the Ukraine (2014)
#21 – Ride’em Cowboy
You would travel about 2,163 kilometres if you rode every ride of the Polar Express every day of the Stampede.
#22 – Lights Galore
Approximately 156,000 lights adorn the rides at the midway (2014)
#23 – Fireworks Galore
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Every night near closing time, a stunning array of fireworks are launched to celebrate the day!
I Love the Calgary Stampede!
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