Stampede! Jul 12, 2022

The weather was gorgeous for spending a full day at the Calgary Stampede, the largest rodeo in the world. First the afternoon rodeo competition, then dinner in the clubhouse with front row seats for the evening stage show.
Stampede-002 As if we needed additional confirmation that the Stampede was in town other than all the urban cowboys wandering around in their spotless duds, a horse parade...
1 As if we needed additional confirmation that the Stampede was in town other than all the urban cowboys wandering around in their spotless duds, a horse parade ambled down the avenue in front of our hotel just as we were checking in.
Stampede-004 As if we needed additional confirmation that the Stampede was in town other than all the urban cowboys wandering around in their spotless duds, a horse parade...
2 As if we needed additional confirmation that the Stampede was in town other than all the urban cowboys wandering around in their spotless duds, a horse parade ambled down the avenue in front of our hotel just as we were checking in.
Stampede-009 As if we needed additional confirmation that the Stampede was in town other than all the urban cowboys wandering around in their spotless duds, a horse parade...
3 As if we needed additional confirmation that the Stampede was in town other than all the urban cowboys wandering around in their spotless duds, a horse parade ambled down the avenue in front of our hotel just as we were checking in.
Stampede-011 Thursday was our Stampede day, the main gate was only a 20 minute walk from our hotel in downtown
4 Thursday was our Stampede day, the main gate was only a 20 minute walk from our hotel in downtown
Stampede-012 Remington-esque statues throughout the fairgrounds
5 Remington-esque statues throughout the fairgrounds
Stampede-013 Remington-esque statues throughout the fairgrounds
6 Remington-esque statues throughout the fairgrounds
Stampede-014 Commemoration of past exhibitions
7 Commemoration of past exhibitions
Stampede-016 At first the midway looked like any other state fair aside from the Canadian flags
8 At first the midway looked like any other state fair aside from the Canadian flags
Stampede-019 Then we started noticing the uniquely local concoctions. And no, we did not try the garlic and onion lemonade, but the watermelon slushie was darn good!
9 Then we started noticing the uniquely local concoctions. And no, we did not try the garlic and onion lemonade, but the watermelon slushie was darn good!
Stampede-022 Yep we're not in Kansas anymore. Not sure what classifies a poutine as
10 Yep we're not in Kansas anymore. Not sure what classifies a poutine as "gourmet" or gravy as "award winning", but none of us needed a heart attack just as the trip was starting.
Stampede-023 Fun factoids!
11 Fun factoids!
Stampede-024 The offer was intriguing, but we didn't spot anyone porting a
12 The offer was intriguing, but we didn't spot anyone porting a "taco in a bag" to see what it was all about.
Stampede-029 Didn't see the fire and didn't want to stand too close under the people who were upside down in case some gourmet poutine or tacos-in-a-bag rained down.
13 Didn't see the fire and didn't want to stand too close under the people who were upside down in case some gourmet poutine or tacos-in-a-bag rained down.
Stampede-032 Entering the stadium for the afternoon rodeo competition
14 Entering the stadium for the afternoon rodeo competition
Stampede-037 The players take the field before the competition starts
15 The players take the field before the competition starts
Stampede-040 The Canadian national anthem
16 The Canadian national anthem
Stampede-043 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎
17 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎
Stampede-048 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎
18 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎
Stampede-050 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎
19 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎
Stampede-052 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎
20 Bareback riding was the first of an entire afternoon of competitions at the Calgary Stampede rodeo! 🐎🐎